Greetings, travelers. If you’re like me, you grew up with a healthy love of speculative fiction across several genres. From historical fictions, to superheroes, to fantasy, and sci-fi, there’s a lot that I love about imaginary worlds. And if you’re like me, you also love it when someone finds ways to bring it all together into one great amalgamation that just works.
That’s what we’re going to be looking at today. Join us as we talk to author Daniel Sloan, the author behind the book Mystic Scarabs, as we take a peek behind the curtain to find out more about his book, and how he came about bringing it to life. Read on to start the journey!
Tellest: Greetings, Daniel! I wanted to thank you for agreeing to spend some time with me as we discuss your story and your writing process. You’re still a bit of a mystery to me, so it’ll be interesting to see what makes you tick and to see everything that brought you to this moment. I can imagine that you’ve been incredibly busy creating a world, and by absorbing all the great content that helped inspire you. I’m looking forward to our conversation!
Daniel Sloan: Thank you so much for having me and giving me the opportunity to share my creativity. Hopefully after this interview you will gain some insights on who I am as an author.
T: For these interviews, one of the things that I like to do is start with something foundational. To find out how you got to where you are, it’s important for us to know where you’ve been. To that end, I like to know what it was that originally sparked an interest in creativity. Did you have a favorite author growing up? Or was there someone in your community or family that gave you the gift of storytelling? Perhaps it was a story told in a completely different medium that gave rise to your imagination.
DS: My passion for creativity came about when I was just a child staring at the clouds and imagining a world of possibilities, where the clouds would come alive and tell stories. I would also listen to stories from my grandparents, who are Cherokee, and would share stories from our tribe. With all these creative ascensions I’ve had as a child, I started reading James Patterson books when I got to my teens and it absolutely blew me away. My favorite book was Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson. With me and the protagonist having the same name, I was captivated. It made me feel like I was the main character in the book throughout the whole read. I became Daniel X, flying through galaxies, taking out aliens, looking to find the alien that killed my parents. That book taught me that with a creative mindset and a determined approach that anything can be accomplished.
T: So, one of the things about the book we’re going to be chatting about is that it feels like it’s from a world we live in and from a world outside of it at the same time. In a lot of ways, your foundation for enjoying the stories you grew up with solidly explains that. Do you feel like
you’ve got elements of real-world ideas from your grandparents, and the fantastical concepts came from your love of fantasy and sci-fi?
DS: The foundation definitely stems from wanting to build a revolving universe that is from our realm and from the fantasy sci-fi realm. As you can see, the blended mixture of this universe—it draws you into modern-day society with a twist of wonder to see a world from beyond the cosmos. Each geological location in the book exists in our own world. It gives the readers a sense of existence and realism.
T: Within the familiar, you’re also working to make things your own, and to put your own spin on things, but even they feel rich and layered. When it came to weaving in the world beyond, how did you end up making that seem as immersive as the elements of reality that served as the foundation?
DS: That’s a great question. There’s no key formula on building an immersive world. Sometimes you have a vision and are gifted to be able to bring that world to life. As a visionary I’m able to see each individual detail of the story and immerse myself as the director of the story. Some would say just like Master Hand from Smash Bros. The creator within the creation.
T: The book that we’re going to be talking about is Mystic Scarabs, a novella that sort of bridges the gap between The Mummy and something like Power Rangers or Animorphs, perhaps with some elements of DC’s Blue Beetle. What was it that made this story speak to you, and how did you go about gleaming it into existence?
DS: The true origin of Mystic Scarabs comes from my vision and thoughts of what Beetleborgs should have been. Growing up in the 90s we were bombarded with tons of Super Sentai-types of shows from Power Rangers, VR troopers, Mystic Knights, as well as Beetleborgs. I enjoyed all these shows, but Beetleborgs spiked my interest. Even though the show was overly corny it had so much potential. I wanted to rebuild that vision and give it the true potential of a true origin story of teenagers coming across ancient relics that hold true power and with that power comes responsibilities and true threats. Mystic Scarabs will draw the reader in and build bonds with each character. There’s drama, comedy, action, suspense… A whole new twist to the YA sci-fi fantasy genre.
T: Your book is absolutely packed with content, but it also has a brisk pace. Did you find it difficult juggling multiple characters, or was there a nice flow that came from that?
DS: Character development was a cakewalk. Having a strong background in the theatre/drama community has truly helped me characterize each individual character with their own personality traits, quirks, weaknesses, etc. I would sit there and feel how each character grows intensely though out the story. This form of storytelling can only come from someone who understands scripts and stage plays.
T: Part of getting into the head space of a character you write is feeling things pretty intensely. Did you ever have a moment where you felt vulnerable alongside a character, or felt a little too close to an antagonist and their mission?
DS: As creating these characters, I tried to be less vulnerable as possible but there is one character I did add to the story that is a symbology of my only son Donatello. I wanted to share all the smarts and wittiness and temperament of what we would be like as a teenager. But speaking through a reader’s perspective, there were times where I would get so drawn into the teams missions and their outcomes that I shed tears.
T: Super-Sentai has been a super enduring series, and Power Rangers has latched onto that in some big ways by having so many different versions of the show with different heroes and villains. Could you see yourself tackling a Mystic Scarabs outside of the main series that would introduce new characters who are able to become heroes like the protagonists from this book?
DS: There are some possibilities that could happen, but I wouldn’t foreshadow the separation of the relics from their current host as the origin is that they were chosen. What I can say isthat there will be a Chief of Exploration.
T: How far along would you say that you are with your second book at this time? Now that your first book has released, are you even more driven to wrap things up quickly with the follow-ups?
DS: I would say Mystic Scarabs – The rise of Aphosis is in its final drafting phase, just putting the final touches together. And it will be ready for publication come April. The third edition is in the works as we speak right now: Mystic Scarabs – The Twin Fatale.
T: Mystic Scarabs is just one part of a world that you’re building. Now that you’ve got the first book done, I’m sure you’re thinking about sequels. What is it like having the world established enough where the sort of rules with your world are set, and you can get right into the swing of things with new content?
DS: Yes, you are correct. Mystic Scarabs is going to be a 3-book series. With having the first book already published, it definitely makes the world alive and easier to dive into the next 2 books, as there are shifts happening within their realm that has a cause-and-effect attribute.
T: When you started on the first book, did you already know that you were going to end up making a trilogy, or was it something you felt more comfortable with as you moved forward into the world?
DS: I had no idea what was to transpire after creating Mystic Scarabs. Something in me just wanted more. I couldn’t just leave the story as one book. I saw the world expand in my vision, more threatening a darker tone for the second book. It was like a creative cloud just getting bigger and bigger and raining down ideas. It had be bigger than what it was. With the third book being in works, the antagonist is the god that was holding the twins captive from the first book. With each book comes triumphs.
T: You’re a bit of a mystery online, so I haven’t been able to verify this yet, but as you’re a creative type, I imagine you’ve written other stories as well. Would that be accurate to say? Have you had any others besides Mystic Scarabs that have hit virtual storefronts yet?
DS: I have been hiding in the shadows, secretly creating this masterpiece since COVID, 2020. I saw a vision of how Mystic Scarabs, formerly named “Mystic Beetles”, could become bigger than just a novel. But I needed to get my creativity on paper and a book was written. I took time to write this. I had it ready for publishing back in 2024 with global book publishers. I went with my gut and held off on that. Something within me told me to take the indie author route and critique any minor issues within Mystic Scarabs. Now we have this masterpiece of a story that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you want more.
T: The nice thing about self-publishing is that your vision stays yours. If lightning does strike, you’ll be the sole proprietor of a world that has a ton of potential. You mentioned that there were going to be three books, but have you already felt the pull to do more in this world? What would that look like? Additional sequels? Spinoffs?
DS: Self-publishing taught me that my vision can reach many different levels of creativity without restrictions and toxic hands tainting my work. Having a world that is full of potential and diverse perspectives, the series will continue from previous endeavors that have taken place. For example, in Mystic Scarabs – The Rise of Aphosis, Nicolas Seth comes back as something far worse.
T: Is the Mystic Scarabs series the primary world that you’re playing in at the moment, or do you have other stories that you’re excited to tell as well?
DS: I am excited about jumping over into the horror/thriller genre once I’m done with the Mystic Scarabs series. The book will be called Jojo’s Bones:
When the Davidson family moves into a meticulously restored historic mansion, it feels like a fresh start—polished floors, white walls, sunlight pouring through imported glass. A perfect home for a perfect life.
But old houses remember.
Beneath the luxury finishes and designer fixtures, something ancient stirs within the walls—a dormant species that feeds on warmth, fear, and the secrets families bury. When their beloved dog
Jojo vanishes without a trace, faint scratching begins to echo through the vents. Fine black dust gathers along the baseboards. And the house grows hungry.
As hidden trauma fractures the family from within, the infestation awakens fully—devouring flesh, exposing lies, and turning the dream home into a living organism that consumes its own.
Now, with their parents falling victim to the horror inside the walls, Becky and her younger brother Topher must decide whether to escape… or burn the house to the ground before it feeds again.
Some houses shelter you.
Others swallow you whole.
Look out for it come summertime.
T: In your “About the Author”, you describe yourself as an entrepreneur in addition to being a creator and a storyteller. Can you tell us what that means to you? What other magic are you bringing to the world?
DS: My entrepreneurial passion is different forms of creativity, from writing novels to writing scripts. I am actually in the works of writing a pilot script for Mystic Scarabs to be brought to life in the media. And for all my music lovers out there, I am a Gospel artist as well. My artist name is Dja-Ra-Ka on all streaming platforms. Check out all my creative works.
T: With the script of Mystic Scarabs, I’m guessing you lean on the Super-Sentai side of things. Do you see your world brought to life as a live action show or a cartoon—or something different altogether?
DS: The vision for a live adaptation for Mystic Scarabs would have a Super-Sentai aspect but more of a Dark horse comic tone. Comparison to GoGo Loser Ranger and how dark and gritty that Super Sentai was.
T: There’s certainly some darkness to your stories, but you also have some warmth in the characters that you develop as well. How do you find a fair balance that you believe will connect with your audience?
DS: There always has to be a happy medium within a storyline. The diversity between characters has to stem from core value elements of what each character portrays. Having different perspectives from multiple viewpoints develops that fine medium tone to the story.
T: You mentioned your musical side gig. When it comes to your writing, does music play a big part in its creation, whether it’s within the world itself, or just part of your creative process?
DS: I would say music has played a big influence on my day-to-day creativity. Either I’m writing lyrics or listening to music as I write my stories. There’s something about music that just inspires me to create
T: I have no doubt that once people read Mystic Scarabs, you’re going to end up carving a nice little fan base out for yourself. But when people want to know more, they’re also going to want to know where to look for you. Do you have a website or some sort of social media hub that you like to lean on in order to get your message across to the folks who enjoy your content?
DS: I have been building a Fan base on Tik-Tok @mysticscarabs. I will also be launching an Instagram account. And all updates will be on the Tik Tok account.
T: Dan, I wanted to thank you for taking some of your time to pull back the curtain somewhat and see your creative process. I know that you are no doubt incredibly busy getting the parts in place to bring the second book out to your readership as soon as you’re able. I appreciate being able to learn more about you and Mystic Scarabs, and I hope that many more readers turn into super fans and get a chance to live in your world for a bit!
DS: I appreciate the time and effort that you have put into your questions. They truly help crack open the curtain of who I am as an author and be able to experience my creative process into the creation of Mystic Scarabs.
T: Once more, I’d like to thank Dan Sloan for opening his storytelling lair to us so that we could learn more about what makes him tick as a creator, and to get a better understanding of how Mystic Scarabs came to be, and to prepare for what’s next in this great series. It’s always great to see the intersection where the art and artist cross paths, and I hope that our readers enjoyed what they found out about this story and its storyteller. If you’re interested in learning more, check out Mystic Scarabs on Amazon today!
Michael DeAngelo
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