Interview: Michal Dlouhý on his debut novel, The Divided City

Today, I’m interviewing an author who is just about to release his first book. The novel Rozdělené město is being published under the Fobos imprint by Knihy Dobrovský, and its author is Michal Dlouhý. Michal was a member of our imago pack, so we’re happy to help him promote his debut. Without further ado, let’s jump straight into the first question.

Why this particular book, and what led you to write it?

It was actually a combination of several things, but the common denominator is the unknown and unexpected situations—both for the protagonist and the reader. I wanted to write a story from a different perspective than usual and experiment a bit. So, we don’t start with the classic orphan on a farm who sets out to gain power, but with a hero who has already been at the top and suddenly loses his strength.

So, does The Divided City have a completely unique story?

I wouldn't go that far—an experienced reader will still find familiar tropes and a classic structure. However, there are definitely a few surprises hidden inside that make the book worth reading. Especially if the reader sticks with it until the very last page.

If you had to hook a reader on the story, how would you summarize it in a few sentences?

The narrative begins exactly where things start to get interesting. A powerful wizard arrives through a portal into an unknown, dystopian city and loses all his power. A man used to performing miracles with a snap of his fingers is suddenly in a completely unfamiliar situation in a place that is alien to him. Will he learn humility? Will he have to cooperate with others? What is he willing to do to achieve his goal? These are just a few questions that The Divided City might be able to answer.

You say the story is set in a dystopian city. What was the biggest challenge in creating the city and the world?

Paradoxically, the biggest challenge was not stuffing too much lore into the book. The first version had more of everything—history, linguistic quirks, minor explanations, descriptions, and details. But it distracted from the story, so I decided to keep only the essential information. Some might have questions about how certain things work, but at least they won't be bored, and the pages will fly by.

Can you tell us more about the main character? Or will there be more of them?

The wizard who loses all his power is named Tarian. The reader experiences the entire story through his skin and sees things through his sometimes unreliable eyes. However, in an unknown place, he can't do it alone, and he will share part of his journey with companions. Who are they? The book's illustrations will give you a hint.

What was your inspiration? Did you borrow any ideas from established fantasy authors?

When promoting, debut authors are often advised to compare their work to famous writers. So, I should probably pull something out of my pocket like a combination of J. R. R. Tolkien and Brandon Sanderson with Ursula K. Le Guin. Unfortunately, I don't have anything like that; I just tried to write an interesting story that I hope as many readers as possible will enjoy. Even though I’m a bit worried that with the current popularity of romantasy and dark romance, my decent urban fantasy is going very much against the grain.

What was the hardest part to write?

The biggest problem was the scenes that were supposed to evoke strong emotions. I was balancing on the edge of credibility, sincerity, and avoiding being overly dramatic. I’m still not sure if I really pulled it off.

The first book is out, what are you working on now?

I’m fine-tuning the sequel. The second volume should be out by the spring of next year, and I’m trying to make it just as good as the first. I still have plenty of edits to do before I’m truly satisfied and can send it to the editors. In short, I have plenty to do before Christmas.

Do you already know how many books the series will have in total?

The story is firmly contained, and I definitely don't want to drag it out. The whole series will have four books, with the second and third parts expected to be released during 2026. The last part doesn't have a set date yet, but I want to get it out as quickly as possible so readers don't have to wait unnecessarily long for the conclusion.

You have it well planned. Do you plan to keep writing after the series is finished?

That’s definitely the plan, but it largely depends on whether anyone wants to read it. I hope there are enough readers who enjoy my style and will make it through the whole series to the end. And what will I write next? There are plenty of ideas, but first, I’d like to try my hand at a LitRPG.

Is there anything else you’d like to say in conclusion?

Read The Divided City—the story is really worth it! Our market is small, and I’ll be grateful for every reader who gives my book their time in such fierce competition. And most of all, I hope you enjoy it and find it a good read.

author Karel Krajča