Anthony J. Viola, Ph.D., has written three science-fiction novels, the latest of which, “The Law of Devil’s Land,†is published by Black Rose Writing. Viola is a 19-year professor in the Department of English at Marshall University.
Anthony J. Viola, Ph.D., has written three science-fiction novels, the latest of which, “The Law of Devil’s Land,†is published by Black Rose Writing. Viola is a 19-year professor in the Department of English at Marshall University.
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‘The Law of Devil’s Land,’ by Anthony J. Viola.
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‘All Lies Begin With Truth’ by Anthony J. Viola.
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‘Extreme Human Overload’ by Diana Johnson.
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‘Buryin’ Norma Jeane’ by Leah Rogin.
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‘Music Memories: Remembering Life Through Song’ by William McCallister.
This month, we talk to Anthony J. Viola, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of English at Marshall University. Viola was born in West Islip, New York, and raised in West Babylon. He attended college at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, where he earned his bachelor’s of arts in English (writing). After that, he moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he earned his master’s in English from the University of North Dakota. After attending Ohio University, where he earned his PhD, he moved to Lexington, Kentucky, for a two-year position before being hired at Marshall. He just started his 19th year at Marshall.
His third and latest novel is “The Law of Devil’s Land,†published by Black Rose Writing on Sept. 21, 2023. The novel tells the story of “17-year-old Ghonna ‘Gyle,’ an outcast unsure of their identity, trying to get by in a post-apocalyptic society where traditional values reign. To raise themself out of the Lower Ranks, Ghonna participates in the Imperial Events. And with each stage, the stakes increase, the competition is fiercer, and the possibility of death becomes likely.â€
His second novel, “All Lies Begin With Truth†is also available through Black Rose Writing. His first novel, “The Art of Death,†is available through KDP (Amazon).
Q: What inspired you to start writing?
A: For the longest time, I always wanted to write; though I have to admit, I think that was mostly inspired by watching science-fiction films as a kid. I remember there would be a sci-fi/thriller screening once a week on Saturday mornings, and I somehow found myself looking forward to watching these. I remember meeting with a guidance counselor while in the fourth grade and she asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and she was impressed with the specific nature of my response, which was a “science-fiction writer.â€
Q: How do you deal with the emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?
A: I think if I weren’t passionate about the topic, then I could never actually write a book about that topic. So, I would say, the emotional impact is always there, and I use it as a catalyst to keep writing. This impact also inspires me to craft a story filled with as much accuracy and verisimilitude as possible.
Amy Deal is a resident of Huntington, West Virginia. She blogs about her literary experiences at authoramydeal.com and can be reached by email at authoramydeal@gmail.com.
