Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Michail Sidiropoulos

What inspired you to write “Aytolycus the Thief”?

Sidiropoulos: I’ve always been a passionate fan of Greek mythology. Over the past few years, I’ve delved even deeper into its world and been continually amazed by its depth, complexity, and timeless themes. One figure who especially stood out to me was Autolycus, the most infamous thief in Greek mythology. His story intrigued me. Not only was he the son of Hermes, the god of trickery, but he was also the grandfather of two of the most cunning heroes in myth: Odysseus and Jason.

How did you come up with the names of your main characters? 

Sidiropoulos: Many of the characters in the book already exist in Greek mythology –such as Autolycus, Philammon, and Trofonios– so their names came ready-made. For my "fictional" characters, I used the "Lexicon of Greek Personal Names" (LGPN) to find historically accurate and culturally appropriate names that felt authentic within the setting. The names I picked for them where fitting for their roles. For instance the shepard of Odysseus was named Evmaios, and I named the shepard of Autolycus Efvoulos. These names have specific meaning in Greek, like Efvoulos is translated as "Man of kind will" or Hadesitos is "Fed/ bred by Hades", Timaios is "Honest man", Polyxene is "Very hospitable" and so on.

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Sidiropoulos: I want readers to know that Aytolycus is both a tribute to ancient storytelling and a fresh take on a lesser-known figure in mythology. My goal is for my stories to approach the old myths with respect and not change them, and maybe add a chunk of storytelling in them.
My hope is that readers will enjoy it as much as I did. The search and the writing process was a really enjoying journey for me. I hope I can continue it for a long time.

My writing style is somewhat Doric (maybe not a good characteristic for a writer, eh?) and my stories are fast paced. 
In Autolycus the thief the reader will find many subtle references to the stories of his grandchildren.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Sidiropoulos: I’d offer two pieces of advice. 
First, write what you love -not what you think will sell. Even if your audience ends up being small, your passion will come through, and that authenticity is invaluable. 

Second, always strive to improve your writing, especially when it comes to grammar and language. The better you understand your language, the more vivid and beautiful your storytelling will become. 

My major was of the practical siences, so I have to cover a longer distance than the other authors and I am still learning a lot about the Greek language. And it is quite a tough one...

What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?

Sidiropoulos: I’m definitely drawn to the epic and adventure genres. I enjoy fast-paced stories that keep you turning pages. Since I began writing, I’ve become part of a wonderful community of fellow writers, so over the past 5–6 years, I’ve primarily been reading works by aspiring authors.

Well, one of my favorites ( I read it really young... maybe 25 years ago ) is  J'accuse  by Emil Zola.

What are you working on next?

Sidiropoulos: I’ve recently finished my second novel (in Greek), Atalanta the Huntress, and have submitted it to publishing houses for evaluation. Just this week, I began working on my third novel, Afareitides, which explores the story of two lesser-known mythological twins. They may not be as famous as others, but they were amongst the Argonauts and have a rich story worth telling.

Want to learn more about Aytolycus the Thief and Michail Sidiropoulos?

https://www.facebook.com/autolycus.the.thief

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