Today we talk about Marcos: Love Beyond Space, a book by Zaskia Antelo published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Zaskia Antelo, to get to know her better, what prompted her to write her book Marcos: Love Beyond Space, as well as what is her idea of love.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this story?
At first, I wanted to show my town because it is a city nobody thinks of when thinking of Bolivia. Then my intention was to simply portray the characters, and their journey throughout the unknown. When suddenly love appeared, I didn’t plan it, the characters just took life by themselves and so did their love. To be honest, I didn’t even think of my character´s sexuality, they simply developed. My first inspiration was my city, then the characters came to life as I imagined myself as their mother. They were the children I am yet to have. My thought with Marcos was to portray that no matter what you are going through, without support it could be almost impossible. Always with the company of his beloved ones. I wanted for the story to develop in a place I know well, and would like to share with the world. Romanticising my city, customs, and people were part of my priorities.
- What do you want to communicate to readers with this work?
First of all, that even in the middle of South America people are living their lives, learning, changing, growing up, and moreover loving. Even though we are a third world country people also experience life with feelings, and thoughts. We still grow and exist. To me this book is a way of leaving a step of existence. Also, I wanted to portray lgbtq relationship because I feel, is also a way of saying, we are queer we exist all over the world. Even if the laws allow it or not. In general, this book represents me saying: “We are also in this world with you all.” Books about my country are seldom, so I want to contribute to our legacy, our customs, and people. Moreover, I wanted to bring a story about self-development and a trip through the astral world, everything that is magic, and ancient wisdom.
- Is love the engine of the world?
I completely agree with that statement. Without love the world would be cold and dull. Love brings colours and joy to those feeling it. Moreover, the best decisions are the ones taken with the heart: To support others, to help, to contribute, and so on. The author strongly believes that love moves the world, making it go around. That’s why writing love stories doesn’t get old, because we are still feeling it, and filling this world. There are many types of loves, from the Agape, to Romantic, to Eros. No matter what shape it takes, it still makes the one feeling it, want to do good for themselves and other people. Those in love, and children are the ones expressing the most love. I believe love truly makes the world go around, and also makes people make the world better, for those they love. Every industry can be moved with the heart.
- How did it feel to see your book published?
I am still waiting to receive the first printings, but just knowing that soon it will be available for people to consume and experience the story, makes me skip with joy. I am eager to feel the cover and the pages. Also, I am very curious to know how many pages it will turn out to be with the editing. Because I sent around 300 pages, and with the spicing and such I wonder if it will be longer, or even shorter. The most exciting part is the fact that my characters will come to life in another person´s mind. I wonder how they will be imagined by each person, we all get a general idea from the book, but there are little things that each person´s brain can do. Truthfully, I hope the characters and their story will be loved and appreciated as much as I feel for them.
- Are you planning to write more books?
Of course! I am on it, right now my new book is about a girl living in my city also entering all of the magic world. I feel that this kind of astral realm is very good to write stories, moreover I know a lot about it, so it makes it more interesting to me. At the moment the next book is only half way through, I am hoping to make it interesting and fun so people reading it will enjoy the story, as much as the characters. To bring a story to life the author thinks it is very important to pay attention to the characters because their behaviour is what is going to bring the story to life. Before I write I create the persona, with all their attitude and feelings, only then I start to create a tale around them. So, I am looking forward to keep creating stories that people will enjoy as much as I do.
Europe Books thanks the author Zaskia Antelo once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book Marcos: Love Beyond Space. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my dear reader, I hope that this book solicits your sensitivities and allows you to recognize the importance and value of all forms of love that exist in the world. Whoever loves becomes a better person and makes positive energies go around that help us to live better and with great joy.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy this loving reading!
Your editor!