Exclusive Interview with Writer and Creator, Darrell Sawatzky

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your writing background? How did you get started as an author?

Hey! I’m Darrell Sawatzky. I’ve been a devourer of fantasy and sci-fi since I was about 10 when I first picked up Lord of the Rings. As my library grew, I began to want to tell my own stories and join the ranks of my literary heroes. As you might guess, my inspiration is drawn mostly from literary works, and I seek to incorporate deep story arcs and interesting characters into my comics to go alongside the action depicted by the amazing artists I’ve had the privilege of working with.

2. What inspired you to write your latest book published by Tardigrade Press? Are there any personal experiences or influences that shaped the story?

My latest project is called Sol ‘69 where I team up with Bob Little again to tackle a fantasy/supernatural take on a famous historical figure. I was inspired by my research into historic occultism and the biblical figure of Solomon, who, if you read closely, was a renowned sorcerer known for summoning and controlling demons - that’s awesome comic book material. It’s my personal choice to separate Solomon from his Judeo-Christian origins and place him in various fantasy and real-world historical settings to avoid the baggage that comes along with that. As an example, our first issue depicts Solomon and his succubus sidekick Lilith in California in 1969, where he confronts a group of demons that have taken over a popular hotel to feed on the guests.   

3. Could you provide us with a brief overview of your book? What genre does it belong to, and what can readers expect from it?

Sol 69’ is a fantasy/supernatural series which features the ageless sorcerer Solomon, known widely for his summoning and control of demons. In this story, Solomon is ageless, though not immortal. He made a terrible mistake in his youth, and has thus spent his many long years closing rifts to the Hell dimension and chasing down rogue demons. To do this, he uses his extensive knowledge of sorcery and summons partners from among his 69 contracted demons to fight at his side. His sidekick/love interest is the succubus Lilith and his small winged friend Gambler is never far from Sol’s side. In our first issue readers can expect some high sorcery and action from both Sol and Lilith, as well as hints at the greater picture of the world Sol inhabits, including snippets of lore from the Hell dimension and Sol’s past.

Sasquatch Vikings #2 is a fantasy story set during the height of the Viking raids and exploratory travels that took them far from their places of origin. One such party stumbles upon a thriving indigenous population in North America that enjoys a good relationship with neighboring Sasquatches. This peace is destroyed when the Vikings arrive to raid, plunder, and establish a foothold on new lands. The raid is shockingly effective and leaves the protagonists on their back feet. They try to formulate a response to this violence while still maintaining their own integrity, but struggle with the lure of vengeance. This theme is explored throughout the first two books and it’s my hope to draw this series to an exciting and satisfying conclusion in a third issue in the future. For now, buy this book and help support a talented team of indie creators! 

4. Can you share your writing process with us? Do you have any specific routines or rituals that help you stay focused and productive? 

Coffee and music. I like to write earlier in the day because it’s my highest energy point, and there is literally always a hot cup of coffee beside me at my desk. In terms of music, I love to try and match the theme and tone of the music to my current project. A blank page can feel like a big daunting void, and nothing really gets created in a vacuum, so the music can help trigger ideas and concepts. This really puts me in a space to create dynamically, which is particularly useful when writing action scenes or iconic moments. My writing desk and my PC are like a sanctuary to me and I try to cultivate that feeling to encourage creativity.

5. Are there any particular themes or messages you wanted to convey through your book? What do you hope readers will take away from it?

For Sasquatch Vikings #2, it was about establishing the idea of a peaceful society grappling with shocking and unexpected violence. I also wanted to build a fantasy-style mythos around the Sasquatches to add depth to the characters. I play with the idea of revenge throughout the book as a temptation for the peaceful side, with the idea that violence begets violence. This isn’t so much a moral statement as it is an exploration of humanity’s complex relationship with war and violence.

6. Tardigrade Press is known for publishing diverse and unique voices. How do you feel your book aligns with the values and mission of Tardigrade Press?

For this particular book, I wanted to treat the presence of indigenous peoples with the respect they deserve as the original inhabitants of the land I call home. Canada has complex social issues surrounding this topic and it was important to me to try and not be a part of the problem. It’s my sincere hope that indigenous readers find my treatment of the subject respectful while still working within the context of an action-based comic. In this respect, I can only hope that my voice adds to the diversity and values of Tardigrade Press, and I strive to embody those principles to the best of my ability.

7. Were there any challenges you faced while writing or publishing your book? How did you overcome them, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?

For me the greatest challenge is determining what different artists or people on the project need from me to do their part in the process. This means adapting to the style and preferences of the artist and can result in very different formats for scripts. Some artists prefer a great deal of freedom in their interpretation of my writing, and I try to give them that space. On the other hand, some people prefer much more specific panel-by-panel descriptions and a more traditional script format, and I’m happy to work like that too - the biggest takeaway for me is to be ready to adapt to the needs of the project as a whole, and build that flexibility into my work.

8. Can you share an interesting or memorable moment from your writing journey? It could be a breakthrough, an unexpected turn of events, or a touching reader interaction.

I’ve had some heartwarming reviews and that is a big boost for me. The writing I consume as a reader establishes standards for me to strive for, and I want readers to be as immersed as I get when I wear that hat. I think the biggest moment at this point in my writing career was simply finishing my first book. Finishing things is so essential to your growth as a writer, even if they never get published. It really helps you to see the areas you need to improve on and get a sense of where you’re at stylistically and how far you’ve come. Some of those moments might be cringey, but they’re still valuable as long as you keep moving forward.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are looking to get their work published? Is there anything you wish you had known when you were starting out?

I have the benefit of a good relationship with my publisher that began before I was officially a part of the team, so my inroads to the world of comic creation were maybe a little different from other peoples experience. I would say be ready to really consider constructive criticism and never assume you’re at the end of your learning journey - in my experience growth is constant and incremental. If you’re trying to get published for the first time, persistence is your best friend. Be ready for rejection, but never let it stop you in your tracks. Somewhere out there, there is a publisher that’s right for your story.

10. Lastly, what projects are you currently working on or planning for the future? Can we expect more books from you in collaboration with Tardigrade Press?

Currently we’re in the process of launching Sasquatch Vikings #2, but as I’ve mentioned my next project is Sol ‘69, and beyond that I hope to build that series as well as my first published project with Bob Little, called the Fatal Charades. High fantasy is my wheelhouse so expect more content that resonates with fans of that genre. I hope the diversity of the projects I’ve worked on draws in readers and gives them a sense of my voice as a writer, and I sincerely hope to be writing good, meaningful stories for years to come. 

Tardigrade Press's Top Pick of the week

Review by Tardigus Fartus

Coming Soon to Kickstarter: Sasquatch Vikings Issue #2 - The Great Old One

Prepare for an epic Viking saga filled with bloodshed, glory, and an encounter with a formidable foe during their conquest of the new world! Dive into the thrilling second issue of Sasquatch Vikings, where ancient legends collide and heroes are forged. Stay tuned for the launch on Kickstarter and join us on this thrilling adventure!

If you have any captivating story ideas or engaging content that you believe deserves to be shared with the world, we invite you to get in touch with us. Tardigrade Press Publishing is always on the lookout for fresh and exciting narratives that will captivate readers and leave a lasting impact.

Whether you have a completed manuscript, a story concept, or any other creative content, we would love to hear from you. Our team of passionate professionals is dedicated to discovering and nurturing talented storytellers.

To submit your ideas or learn more about the submission process, please email us at [email protected] We look forward to exploring the potential of your stories and working together to bring them to life.