An interview with Yuriy Shimanskiy
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Introducing Yuri Shymanskyi with their interactive fantasy book! Sound like something you'd like? Make sure to connect with them at the end to follow along.
A little bit about you and your life, your hobbies, your interests, etc.
My name is Yuri Shymanskyi. I’m from Ukraine and am currently working on bringing my debut book Hidden Threat to life - the first instalment in my fantasy book series Wrath of the Titans.
For over 15 years, I’ve been involved in entrepreneurship. Yet throughout this time, I’ve always been drawn to creativity - I worked with sculpture, created original designs, forms, and concepts. But alongside that lived another passion within me — a deep love for literature.
The events of recent years, especially those affecting our country, have turned my life upside down. They made me reflect on what truly matters, and I made a bold decision: to dedicate myself to writing. Not just to write for the sake of it, but to create something truly unique and captivating — something I always felt was missing in traditional books.
The world is changing — digital technology is rapidly replacing paper formats. I decided not to resist this change but to embrace it and merge the best of both worlds. That’s how the idea of an interactive book was born — a book where the narrative is enhanced with music, video, visual effects, and interactive elements.
Today, I’m lucky to work with a team of talented and like-minded people, and together we’re building something truly remarkable. What exactly? Follow along — you won’t want to miss it!
Info about your latest book and/or the book you’d most like to promote:
Right now, my team and I are working on a unique fantasy series titled Wrath of the Titans, and the first book in the series is Hidden Threat. It’s an interactive fantasy book that blends storytelling with video, music, 3D environments, and illustrations. It’s more than just a book - it’s a new storytelling format where readers don’t just observe the world, they step into it as it comes to life around them.
About the plot:
It all begins with a divine war that erupts in the heavens - a conflict that turns into a catastrophe for the world below: Mirindar, a realm located at the heart of one of the largest islands of the ancient Eastern Dragosh archipelago.
The story then leaps forward a thousand years. In the remote Wastelands Valley, a mysterious red glow begins to flicker on and off — visible from over 1,000 crowns (around 1,200 miles) away.
King Barin Moronger of the city of Breston is the first to respond to the ominous signal. One by one, the scout parties he sends vanish without a trace — until a small battalion is dispatched. That’s where the main story begins — with a campaign into the valley, where the troops are suddenly engulfed in a thick, impenetrable fog within a narrow canyon.
Something was in that fog… Something otherworldly. Terrifying. Alive...
And this is only the beginning. A new war is breaking out in the lands of Mirindar — just like in many other worlds. This time, it’s between once-allied factions: humanity and the hordes. Betrayal and manipulation have dragged both mighty races into a brutal conflict. Meanwhile, the other cities remain silent, watching from the side-lines — consumed by their own troubles. In the city of mages, Ehglow, a terrifying cult has risen. Some believe them to be demonic creatures, others — twisted mages, for beneath their cloaks one can glimpse nothing but countless teeth and bloodstained faces. They seem to have crawled from a crack in the very earth, leaving only destruction in their wake.
Magic in this city intertwines with metal, merging into blood and flesh... And while the nations remain consumed by their own inner struggles, they have no idea of the true danger that looms over them.
The wave of horror is drawing near.
But this story is not just about battles and monsters. At its core, the book explores deeper philosophical themes: Why did all of this happen? Why did the gods unleash their wrath on these lands?
I intentionally leave those questions unanswered — giving readers space to reflect and interpret for themselves. I want each reader to draw their own conclusion.
Every chapter is accompanied by original music, thematic illustrations, and even video scenes, further immersing the reader in the world of Mirindar. We've also hidden Easter eggs — and attentive readers will have a chance to win exclusive rewards: special items that won’t be available anywhere else.
The Wrath of the Titans series will feature a wide range of characters and intersecting storylines — from loyal friendships to devastating betrayals. You’ll find epic wars as well as deeply personal dramas. Everything we love in a great story.
So if you're craving more — follow us on social media and stay tuned for the release of our creation. Something truly incredible awaits.
Any details you’d like to share about what you're currently working on:
The book will be available in several formats — a printed edition with QR codes for interactive content, a digital version, and we’re also working on developing a mobile app.
The book will feature over 70 music tracks, 120 illustrations, and around a dozen animated video scenes — both character-focused and environmental — to help the reader fully immerse themselves in the story.
What inspired you to get into writing and what keeps you motivated?
I love creativity. It brings me genuine joy to create my own universe — with its own laws, political intrigue, wars, and emotional drama. I mean, what could be more fascinating?
As for motivation — for me, it’s all about freedom. I think many will agree: true happiness is doing what you love without being tied to an office or a specific location. Being able to change your surroundings whenever you want, to discover the world while creating stories for your readers — that’s the ultimate perfekto feeling. And it’s exactly what inspires me every single day.
Your opinions on indie vs. trad publishing and why you chose the route you did:
That’s a great question. I believe indie publishing is a good option — but only if you have a solid team that can handle distribution, sales, marketing, and everything else that comes with it. Personally, I’m not an expert in marketing strategy, so I can’t say anything for certain just yet.
Right now, our team is still in the final stages of completing the book, so we’re carefully exploring all available options. But to be honest, I’m leaning more toward the traditional route — where everyone focuses on what they do best: publishers handle distribution and promotion, while I focus on the creative process. I want to concentrate on what matters most — telling stories, not selling them.
What challenges have you faced during your writing and publishing journey?
The biggest challenge has been combining creativity with technology. Writing a story is one thing, but bringing it to life through video, sound, and 3D elements is a completely different process. It’s also hard to gather a team of like-minded people — those who not only complete tasks but truly believe in the project. But by far, the most time-consuming part has been syncing all these elements into one cohesive, emotionally resonant story.
It’s incredibly complex — but we did it, and we’re still doing it.
What advice would you give to someone beginning their writing journey?
When it comes to motivation, it’s different for everyone. What inspires me might not inspire someone else — and that’s okay. But one thing every aspiring writer needs to understand is this: the path of writing is not easy. It demands time, patience, and inner resilience. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll write one, two, or three books quickly and then just sell them right away. My team and I have been working on a single book for three years. In our case, it’s even more complex because we’re blending text, music, video, and interactive elements — and every part has to work together like a living organism.
But if you’ve chosen this path — don’t give up. Yes, it’s hard. But life never throws challenges at us that we’re not capable of overcoming. And if something’s not working — whether you stop or keep going is entirely your choice. Sure, people might say it’s easy to talk — and it is, talking is always easier than doing, as they say: “easier said than done.” But we’re going through it right now ourselves as a team. We know what we’re talking about — and we’re pushing forward 😊
Name an author that inspired you to write and why.
There are so many. Honestly, I don’t even try to single anyone out — I’m inspired by both world-renowned authors and those who are just starting their journey. I sincerely wish all of them success. The most important thing is that we, as writers, shouldn’t see each other as competitors, but as allies — people who can support, advise, and inspire one another. Because it’s in that spirit of mutual support that true art is born.