The Jazzy World of E's Bookshelf: Author Spotlight: Elias Raven

The multi-talented Elias Raven is in the Jazzy World of E's Bookshelf Author Spotlight today. Elias released his debut novel, Cain Sins of the Father in November 2015. Before that he released a collection of poetry, The Painted Shadows. The collection includes his poetry and also the work of nine other poets. Currently Elias is working on the the second book of Cain's story. He gives us a glimpse into what is next in my interview with him. Today we'll learn all about Elias and his books. It's my pleasure to introduce you to author and poet, Elias Raven.

Elias Raven's Biography

Elias Raven was born and raised in Los Angeles. He's an avid reader with a lifelong passion for writing. He's a storyteller, a poet and a talented musician with an amazing voice. Oh, and let's not forget an amazing cook!

As a young boy he spent many summers reading classics such as "The Adventures of Sherlock Homes" and "The White Company" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His creativity was constantly being pushed as he learned more and more about the world around him. His taste in literature spanned from classics to science fiction/fantasy. He expanded his taste devouring everything from William Blake to Milton, Dante, Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud, T.S. Elliot, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Khalil Gibran, William Carlos Williams, Ezra Pound, Paul Verlaine, Walt Whitman, Alan Ginsburg, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Carl Sandburg, Dylan Thomas, and Jim Morrison. These inspirations and his sheer love for reading had him take pen to paper around the age of 20.

Did I mention he's a Musician? ...You can often find him playing his guitars (both electric and acoustic) and keyboards and singing (4 octave ranges) in his home studio. He's a classically trained music aficionado -trained early on by Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Hayden, Liszt, as well as Big Band, Jazz and Rag Time. Spending time with his father at the Los Angeles Philharmonic; experiencing his first orchestra concert at the age of 9.

Elias the Gourmet Cook...Oh My!...His Japanese mother and grandmother trained him very well in fine culinary skills both in cooking and food appreciation from all over the world such as Italian, Indian, Moroccan, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Hawaiian, Pilipino, Greek, and Polish.
When Elias is not reading, writing, composing music or cooking...he can be found listening to music, playing games, hanging out with his kids. He enjoys going to concerts, going on culinary adventures, sightseeing, spending the day at the beach or in the mountains...just doing something adventurous!

An Interview with Elias Raven

JWOEB: Hi Elias, thank you for taking the time to interview. The end of 2015 was a busy one for you beginning with the release of The Painted Shadows Poetry Collection and your novel, Cain Sins of the Father. How did it feel to get your work out there for readers to read?

Elias: I was ecstatic! I was able to realize two dreams in one year. My first book of poetry and my first full length novel.

JWOEB: Painted Shadows included your own poetry spanning ten years and also nine other authors. How did you go about picking which poems made the collection?

Elias: I sifted through about 70 poems and wanted work that reflected past, present and future. I was looking for work that not only was personal, but also poems that reflected all of the different aspects of my writing as well as my spiritual beliefs and my views on erotica. I also wanted to thank the two authors that gave me my start, Gina Whitney and Natalie Alder for believing in me enough to include some of my poetry in their novels.

My PA Linda Radcliff and my other assistant Kendall Black suggested a few of the authors for “The Painted Shadows” and helped me get everyone on board. They both have a great eye for good poetry, and I was really honored they all accepted.

JWOEB: Can readers expect another collection of poetry from you in the future?

Elias: Yes, I am actually starting the next collection and gathering the next group of authors. I will also be appearing in Sharon Johnson’s new poetry book “The Eclectic Poet & Friends” which I believe is coming out soon… either this month or next month I’ll have to verify with Sharon the exact date, but I have two new poems that will be in that collection.

JWOEB: You followed up Painted Shadows with the release of Cain Sins of the Father. What inspired the story of the former rock star and heir to wealthiest family in the world?

Elias: Actually the story arc originally started in a chat room with Author Gina Whitney. She was one of the first authors on Facebook that I became friends with, and she introduced me to her character Abel Gunner in her novel “Saving Abel”. I did some research and had a preliminary idea to do a spin off with Abel’s best friend Cain and asked her permission to explore the idea. With her encouragement and A WHOLE lot of other friends I started the novel. Like any new author, I went through a lot of trial and terror and lots of story revisions. The original story and the final story that was published are far different, but I was really happy with the end result.

JWOEB: The main character in Cain is also named Elias, would you say he shares some of your same qualities? Or is it just pure coincidence?

Elias: It’s no coincidence; he does share some of the same qualities that I do.

JWOEB: Do you have a particular scene or chapter from Cain that's a favorite for you?

Elias: Actually, believe it or not, the funeral scene is my favorite. Truth be told, that particular scene was the beginning of the original novel. It was the very first thing I ever wrote as an aspiring author. Not the most romantic or action packed, it was the imagery fused with my beliefs that brought it all together, and I saw it so vividly when I wrote it that it was like a movie playing in my head.

JWOEB: Can you give us a hint as to what's next for Cain?

Elias: Well….I can tell you that the title for the next novel is “Cain – Rage Of Angels”, and where book one ended, book two picks right up at full speed and continues the story. I’m about halfway done with book two, and it’s getting ready to go out for the preliminary beta read to get feedback. I can also tell you this book is a full rocket ride of emotion and imagery, and I am excited to get it out into my readers hands.

JWOEB: Having written poetry and a novel, do you approach each of them differently? Or are each born out of the same creative process for you?

Elias: It is a similar approach. Usually images will come to me, and I sit down at the keyboard and just let it flow out. Sometimes with poetry or even live writing, it hits me in waves, and I ride the wave of images until it ends…

JWOEB: Not only are you a writer but you're also a musician, how has that aspect of your life influenced your writing?

Elias: I’ve had an interesting life and lots of experience. Everything from playing and singing in front of an audience to being a roadie for different bands playing the sunset strip. More than anything, you take the experiences with all of the different personalities, the shows, the music, and it stays with you until you need it. If that makes sense. I draw on those experiences when I’m writing sometimes. I’ll hear a song and work the lyric into the story or the music I’ll create.

JWOEB: Being a creative person do you find ideas for a project come easily for you? Or do you suffer from the occasional writer's block?

Elias: I think every author suffers from writers block at some point. Usually, when I do find myself not able to write, I channel the energy into music or poetry or making videos in the studio. I always have lots of ideas, though in the cue, so I can switch between books also.

JWOB: Using three different mediums to expresses yourself artistically do you prefer one over the other?

Elias: Each has its benefits. Music evokes emotion and memories. Videos presents a visual audio experience for the person watching, and writing allows the reader to use there imagination freely and see the world you have created as they interpret it.

JWOEB: What has been your favorite part of being a writer?

Elias: The creative process and getting feedback from the people reading the work. I also love the interaction with fans and friends during the takeovers where I get to answer questions and show new work and just be me.

JWOEB: is there any particular part of the writing process you wish was easier?

Elias: I can’t say there is anything easier about it. Your creating and presenting it to the whole world. It demands your best. To do your best, you have to sacrifice sometimes, but that being said, the rewards far out way the grief.

JWOEB: do you have any advice for the writer starting their first book?

Elias: Keep at it. Get lots of feedback. Get beta readers. You can’t please everyone. For every great review, expect a bad one. It’s just the nature of the game. Read other great writers work to see how they do it.

JWOEB: what do you hope readers take away from your work?

Elias: An expanded view of the world; an appreciation for those things unseen that tug at the heartstrings and speak to the soul.

JWOEB: If readers had sum up Elias Raven the author, what would you want them to say about you?

Elias: He writes a hell of a story and made me think and see for once.

JWOEB: is there anything else you would like to say to your fans or readers new to you?

Elias: Thank you for taking the time to read this interview. I write because of you my fans and readers. I hope you enjoy the worlds I have created, the passion I have shown, and most of all, the journey down the rabbit hole.

Books by Elias Raven

Cain Sins of the Father

The Cain family has many secrets. The only son Elias, an alpha male and former rock star, has the “look” with a set of eyes and smile that will drop a girl’s panties at 10 yards. He is the heir apparent to the wealthiest family in the world and it’s now time for the transition of power. But some things never go as planned - especially for this family.

When Elias' one true love Genevieve returns to his life, they start on a journey to unravel the twisted knot that has been laid before them. They enter the serpentine labyrinth of deceit and despair. Two worlds will collide and meet in the middle. Two men will vie for the love of one woman and to the victor will go her soul. There is no second place, and the very gates of heaven and hell will shake as these two gear up for the ultimate confrontation.

The distant past and the modern world will collide on a rocket ride of twisting emotions and imagery. Every story has a beginning, buckle up for this one.

See What Readers Have to Say About Cain

I loved it, for a few reasons, it's well written with a mature dark voice, refreshing take on Cain and actually makes you feel for the whole curse that has followed generations. Should the sons be punished for the sins of the father? ~ Goodreads Reviewer

I highly recommend that you start this book when to have plenty of time because you will never want to put it down till you reach the last page. ~ Goodreads Reviewer

What an awesome read it hooks you in right from the beginning. Once I started it was hard to put down & hated when real life got in the way. ~ Goodreads Reviewer

This is a love story and an action packed thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better.... it does. It creates a world of part fantasy, erotica, steeped in history, with a big dollop of thriller. Congratulations Elias on an amazing debut novel! Well done! ~ Goodreads Reviewer

Amazon review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R91KJUWILV1VQ/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

Cain ~ Sins of the Father

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/qend9so

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/p5yxf4n

Amazon CA: http://tinyurl.com/nh7xetf

Amazon AU: http://tinyurl.com/oxzje7n

Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/qxo8ta8

Goodreads Link: http://tinyurl.com/nslgqu9

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/pr6uyjd

The Painted Shadows Poetry Collection

The first collection of poetry released by Author Elias Raven. The collection spans over 10 years of his poetry, delving into his beliefs on spirituality, life, relationships, family, romance & erotica. This collection also features poetry from 9 authors, some very well known and others publishing for the first time in this collection.

The Painted Shadows – Poetry Collection

Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/o4x4nzx

Amazon CA: http://tinyurl.com/ottystt

Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/o3f2nw6

Amazon AU: http://tinyurl.com/pujqkxh

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/otkprko

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/p4q9e6l

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/p2mlnuu

Connect With Elias Raven

Visit his WEBSITE

Visit his FACEBOOK Author Page

Visit his FACEBOOK Music & Video Production Page