Some of the many questions I wanted to ask in this book were; who are we when everything is stripped away, how do we find the courage to continue in the face of hopelessness, and what comes after our time here?
Sophia Conway – 22 November 2023
The Back Flap
Alone for so long, the last man alive is about to have one final visitor…
Isaac lived on after others passed. He survived humanity’s demise and is now prepared for the ultimate journey. He isn’t surprised to see Death approach, nor the prospect of what is to come from their meeting. The conversation that follows prepares them both for one final adventure into the unknown.
His Last Companion is a thought-provoking introspection of the human experience and the intimacy between the last man on earth and the one companion who has been by his side since birth, Death.
About the book
What is the book about?
In short, the book’s premise focuses on the last surviving man on earth, Isaac, and his conversation with Death. The long answer is more that it’s an observation of life, the human experience, grief, the courage to continue in the face of hopelessness, and what comes after death (among other things!)
When did you start writing the book?
I began writing the book back in 2016 so it’s been a long time in the work!
How long did it take you to write it?
I began in 2016 so approximately 7 years! It sounds like an awfully long time when you consider it only took me 4 hours to hammer out the big-picture story, but life got busy and so I took my time with it.
Where did you get the idea from?
I was inspired to write it after a family member had a series of strokes. The reality of death and the fear of losing them really shocked me and caused me to contemplate the many topics this book touches on, which inspired this work. Writing has always been a wonderful way for me to express thoughts and feelings. The idea to make the characters Death and the last surviving man on earth was surprising to me too at the time, but in hindsight, I think it makes sense. Some of the many questions I wanted to ask in this book were; who are we when everything is stripped away, how do we find the courage to continue in the face of hopelessness, and what comes after our time here? These kinds of questions are best answered when we are placed in a situation where we have to face these realities, which is what Isaac (the man surviving man on earth) is experiencing in the book.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
When I have to ask the same questions of myself!
What came easily?
The questions to ask and topics to explore came easily as they’re all things I’ve asked or wrestled with.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Entirely fictional!
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Honestly, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which is probably not a surprise considering the book’s premise and the topics I try and touch on. Funnily enough, I was also a cast member of a theatrical performance of his work two years ago so I feel I have an intimate connection with The Little Prince now!
Do you have a target reader?
No.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I like to write something and then put it away for a while and almost forget about it so that when I revisit it again I’m in a fresh mindset to rewrite and edit. This helps me see the story through new eyes and experience what a reader might in reading it for the first time. It’s a great way of keeping the passion to write fresh too as it’s so easy to exhaust yourself by continually hammering away at something.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I’ve done both in the past. I love it when I have a detailed idea of where the story is going and how it’s going to end from the beginning because it makes the storytelling process easier, but that can take away from the passion and excitement of writing in the moment too.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I’m trying to leave the editing to a later stage more and more so that I don’t get bogged down in it in the moment, but I have a control-freak streak within me so it’s hard to let it go!
Did you hire a professional editor?
No, but I did get feedback and reviews on the book as I wrote it.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
It’s too distracting for me!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I wanted to self-publish from the start.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
As this is my first book, I wanted complete control over it. It’s my baby! I wanted to see the process through from beginning to end. I don’t regret that decision as it’s been a great opportunity to make connections in the industry and see how far I can come on my own. I’m not opposed to trying the traditional route in the future but I do love the challenge of figuring it out myself and setting my own timelines. I’m even working on releasing my book as an audiobook on Audible and iTunes soon!
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I got it professionally done by a freelancer. There are so many amazing designers out there that it was hard to choose who to go with!
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m winging it, though I do have a little experience in marketing so I’m not completely new to it but I have still so much to learn.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Take the leap and go for it! There are so many helpful resources out there and freelancers you can hire to help you along in the process, it’s not as hard as it may seem (or expensive!) if you put the research into it. You don’t fully know what you’re capable of until you try it. I definitely surprised myself in the self-publishing process and it’s been a lot of fun.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up, for the most part, along the West coast of Ireland! Far from the desert heat I write about in my book, though I hope to experience that too someday.
Where do you live now?
I live on Vancouver Island, Canada, with my husband and infant son.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I love to connect with people! My website has a contact form, so send me a line and let’s get chatting!
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on a collection of poetry. I rediscovered my love for it earlier this year and it’s been so freeing to find new ways to process life and express myself.
End of Interview:
For more from Sophia Conway visit her website.
Get your copy of His Last Companion from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
