Awards and Nominations
Ah, awards . . . What’s that saying? “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”? I’ve been fortunate to be nominated for some wonderful accolades, but alas, some other more talented person keeps insisting on winning. That said, I did win this lovely award from Booknest, which sits in a prized place on my shelf.
| 2019 – FINALIST – SUNBURST (CANADA) BEST YOUNG ADULT | /01 |
| 2019 – FINALIST – GRAND PRIX D’IMAGINAIRE (FRANCE) BEST FOREIGN YA | /02 |
| 2019 – WINNER – CENTURION AWARD (UK) BEST NOVEL | /03 |
| 2018 – WINNER – ELBAKIN AWARD (FRANCE) BEST FOREIGN YA NOVEL | /04 |
| 2018 – NOMINATED – CARNEGIE MEDAL (UK) BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL | /05 |
| 2016 – WINNER – BOOKNEST (EU) BEST FANTASY AWARD | /06 |
| 2016 – FINALIST – JOHN W. CAMBELL AWARD (USA) BEST NEW WRITER | /07 |
| 2016 – FINALIST – PRIX IMAGINALE (FRANCE) BEST FOREIGN NOVEL | /08 |
| 2015 – FINALIST – GEMMELL MORNINGSTAR (UK) BEST DEBUT | /09 |
| 2014 – SEMI-FINALIST – GOODREADS (USA) BEST FANTASY NOVEL | /10 |
MY DEEP DARK SECRETS . . .
Secret Origins
I was born Canada, the nation of humble, polite individuals who secretly think we invented rock and roll, space travel, and the English language. I also hold a UK passport, which I received shortly before the British decided to vote for Brexit. Doh!
Novels
My first published novel was Traitor’s Blade in 2014. Since then I finished the Greatcoats Quartet and the Spellslinger YA fantasy six-book series. As of 2019 I’ve had ten books published and am under contract for six more. Next up is a massive top-secret fantasy series titled . . .
Speaking
I really enjoy speaking at conventions, bookstores, and library events. Though putting on a show is always fun for me, it’s really the Q&A sessions that are always the most illuminating part of the event.
Rock & Roll
The one job I’ve kept doing from the age of nineteen until today is performing live music. I play with a number of bands, including a Beatles tribute and a zany 80’s show.
Travel
Travel is one my favourite pastimes, especially with the love of my life. Both our jobs involve a fair number of trips each year, so we try to come along on each other’s journeys and sneak in a little extra adventure along the way.
Philosophy
I’m an existentialist humanist stoic, which means that while I don’t think the universe holds any objective meaning, I choose to believe in the intrinsic value of human beings and I try my best to focus on being accountable for my own actions and not those of others. Also, I flunked philosophy in university.
F.A.Q.
IS SEBASTIEN DE CASTELL YOUR REAL NAME?
Yes, it really is my name. I’m not sure why so many people think it was concocted by a Madison Avenue advertising agency tasked with devising the most-fantasy-author-name-ever, but I’ll bet none of those distrusting folks had to get beat up as a kid for having a sissy name.
WHEN DOES YOUR NEXT BOOK COME OUT?
You can find my upcoming books on the home page.
DO YOU WRITE IN OTHER GENRES?
I love weird detectives—the ones that are defective to the core but somehow use their flaws to make themselves brilliant investigators. I’m working on a mystery novel with a character I really enjoy and I’m hoping will come to life sometime in the next two years. I wrote a thriller/horror with a friend of mine a couple of years ago and we’re debating whether to give it another draft. Alas, both our writing schedules are pretty full right now.
WHY DO YOUR BOOKS COME OUT IN THE UK BEFORE THE US?
The publishing rights are sold separately to each region, so, in effect, it’s a different publisher in every country. Each of those publishers have their own schedules and times they think their books will do best in the market. Alas, I have no control over this process!
WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE AUTHOR QUESTION?
Same as all other authors: “where do you get your ideas from?”
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM?
Glad you asked! They come from my brain.
