The job of a storyteller is to entertain and boy, does my dear friends do this! It is not new to anyone that I am a huge nerd and I love to attend conventions. Samurai Dan and his lovely partner, Lady Jillian, travel the country teaching the world about combat, sharp shiny pointy things, and martial arts with their charming wit and magical way of storytelling. With how they run panels, when I later learned Dan’s deep passion for writing, it came to no surprise. We have been one of their biggest supporters ever since, well deserved. And they, in turn, have given us back an invaluable friendship. Getting to know these role models, stars in our eyes, has been a treat. We even got to have a mini-vacation with them this fall and their precious animals, a real blast!
Dan is one of the hardest working souls I know, both him and Jillian good to the core. I am so proud he is finally getting the chance to let his talent and great tale shine. Please join me in supporting and learning about the greatness that is the one and only man with the master plan, Mr. Dan Coglan!
Samurai Dan 2021 Book Interview:
What are three things being in quarantine or 2020 taught you?
1. Isolation sucks. 2. Never take seeing/spending time with loved ones for granted. 3. “Experts” don’t know everything.
Can you tell our friends why the name Samurai Dan came from and what it has to do with your life?- I ran a full-time samurai martial arts school for years. We’d travel and perform, to help spread the arts. The name of our demo team was “Kojokan Shinbutai”, which translated as “serious warriors from tiger castle training hall.” –which of course, no one could ever remember! People just remembered “that tall samurai guy.” After much discussion, we settled on just calling me “Samurai Dan” and it worked; for better or worse, people remember that.
Can you tell us about your fuzzy beasts and horses?- We have 2 Akitas, Kiba (my service dog), and his younger sister, Reina. They’re amazing, and adorable, and get me invited into places that ordinarily would never want just me! We also have 4 horses on the property: my parents own Blue and Eli, while Raylan is Jillian’s stallion, and Falco is my monster beast.
How does your beautiful lady Jillian help you through life?- Um…every way possible. She is my partner on the property, my business manager for performing (as well as performer/instructor herself), chef extraordinaire, and my safety net when the world is too scary.
What is the most favorite work you have ever written before you tried to get a manuscript published?- I used to write monster stories, way back in 3rd grade, and classmates and teachers bought them. I wrote a Frankenstein meets the Wolfman story that I wished I still had.
Now, for the meat of the interview: Tell us about your newest book. “Invasion of the Undead” is a first-person shooter book, about a Marine trying to find and take down a necromancer and his horde of zombies. It’s the first of a series of adventures for former USMC Corporal Chase Brooks.
What inspired you to write this series? I was working on another project, a story where the main character uses his wits, not his fists or other weapons. I wanted a “guilty pleasure” distraction, to write on the side. The distraction worked too well–I’ve written 3 Deathstalker Chronicles stories, and still haven’t finished the other book!
In your fantastic work, “Fenris Firar,” you crafted a world of werewolves, Norse mythology, and motorcycles. What world can we expect in this upcoming masterpiece?- A world where monsters exist, but people want to pretend that they don’t. There is a heavy reliance on weapons, so there are lots of firearms and tactics; enough to satisfy the most gung ho gamer or action junkie.
Did “Fenris Firar” inspire any part of a character or element in “Invasion of the Undead?” Or could we even see a cameo? I can always use more Doug in my life!- I actually created the Deathstalker universe to be separate from the Fenris Firar universe. Never fear, though, there are at least 10 novels in the Firar universe planned, and they all interconnect in various ways.
What challenges did this experience create versus the release of your last book?– After all the drama with the previous fraudulent contract, and then scramble to get Fenris Firar published, this time has been wonderful! The challenge has mainly been just trusting the process and trying to relax. Still working on that part.
Anything easier this time around?- Almost all of it. John and Kate Peragine, along with their precocious son Max, have been amazing. We would love for you to promote this publishing company that was smart and awesome enough to get you on board! L’Oste Vineyard Press.
What is the hardest part of the whole publishing process for you and why: writing, editing, or marketing/promoting?- The ideas for the stories are the easiest; developing the idea into a coherent story is the most time-consuming, but the EDITING process is the hardest for me, by far. Being critiqued, no matter how gently, just crushes me. I want to run and hide every time I get an edit, or a review. I tend to get defensive, too, and mutter things like “well, fine, they can just write it themselves!” I’m working on it, but I am way too vulnerable. Go figure–big tough martial arts guy, terrified of a disapproving word! This is going to be a series.
Can you share some details on what that looks like in your mind in the long run?- The Deathstalker Chronicles is set up to run in 4 “seasons” of 6 episodes each. Each novel is a full, self-contained story, that fits into a “themed” narrative, if you will.
Do you listen to any music or does any music fuel you/scenes?- I’m an 80s Hairband guy, but my playlists for writing are milder, and more suited to background music than focal point “in your face” tunes. Except for Billy Squier. I can listen to that dude any time.
I’m not sure you ever thought about your books being adapted into films or a T.V. show. Have you ever pondered any actors/actresses you would personally cast if given the choice?- Every author daydreams about his story being a movie. It’s actually how I write–the story plays out in my head like I’m at the theater, watching a movie. When I first wrote Fenris Firar, I pictured Jensen Ackles as Drew, and Megan Fox as Ramona. For Invasion of the Undead, I kind of envisioned a bigger, younger version of Karl Urban as Brooks.
Name three movies/shows you love to unwind to that people would be surprised to know you like (I know you are a fan of the horror genre)- I find scary movies cathartic and relaxing, which probably says all kinds of bad things about me as a person, but here’s a couple of go-to flicks when things get too tense: 1.) Silver Bullet; 2.) Lost Boys; 3.) The Meg.
I have always loved the story of your water dragon sword. Do you have any other weapons in your collection that are special to you?- All of my toys are special to me! None of the others have the same pull as that 700-year-old blade, however.
What are a couple of foods/snacks/desserts/drinks that you could be happy eating/drinking forever?- Crab legs!!! Mt.Dew Zero Cheese and summer sausage I’m not really a dessert person, but I love pistachio pudding.
Here is a zinger: I love that why are such good friends! You are one of the most hard-working, good-willed, charming, fun, and caring people I know and I admire you a great deal. ^_^- MY question for you is: why do you think our friendship, although we are so different, works so well? Are we friends? -just kidding. I think part of it is that I tend to tease and joke a lot, and while you may not have a lot of that in your life, you respond well to it, and understand where it’s coming from. For my part, I admire your spunk and perseverance, and honestly, your ability to put up with me! I am inspired by you being a positive and smiling person despite hardships and sicknesses and the fact you trust to talk to me about things.
Have you learned anything from me?- I certainly have from you! I have learned something from you. I am trying to just simply relax and enjoy the whole writer’s experience, and not put so much pressure on myself.
Any final words about your work or to better the world?– Funny you mention bettering the world. Alongside the Deathstalker Chronicles series, I have a charity foundation in the planning stages, that I would love to talk more about as we go further down the road. For right now, I want to thank you for the interview, and the chance to talk about the new book.
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Dan’s Story:
Dan Coglan, A.K.A. “Samurai Dan” and his wife, Jillian are the acknowledged masters of marital… er, martial mayhem. This dynamic duo travels the civilized portions of the U.S., bringing their unique show to curious and horrified audiences alike.
In addition to their high-energy, mostly safe stage shows (where razor sharp blades and barbs fly), the couple teaches historical and hysterical panels on the way of the warrior. Offering a wide range of lectures and interactive workshops, Dan and his lethal love Jillian are guaranteed to provide con attendees fun and fulfillment.
Due to a supreme lack of filter, Dan also performs standup comedy, and lives to embarrass his wife onstage, in a censored and uncensored settings.
A storyteller at heart, Dan is releasing his first book in his Deathstalker Chronicle Series- Invasion of the Undead.