ELEMENTS AT PLAY. Genesis, published by R.M. Baril earlier this fall, tells the story of a perilous trial full of grueling conditions and ruthless competitors. The novel, part one of the "Amped" trilogy, references landscapes from Baril's home state of Wisconsin and the mountainous Colorado where he resides today. (Photo via Unsplash)

“I truly believe that everyone has a story in them. It just comes down to making this space to put it on paper,” R.M. Baril said. A lifelong, passionate reader and writer, Baril — who grew up in the Chippewa Valley — has crafted a new adult fantasy series to share with the world.

Genesis, independently published by Baril earlier this fall, tells the story of a “perilous trial, full of grueling conditions, vicious traps, bloodthirsty beasts and ruthless competitors.” 

The first book of the three-part “Amped” series follows main character Jonny Leferd, a conjurer who lives in Vitalia, a hidden city in the Rocky Mountains.

Vitalia is a city of conjurers, people who have powers that manifest as “amps” — a nod to the trilogy’s title — tattoos on their arm which grant the person different abilities including telekinesis, telepathy, among others.

Over the course of the novel, a coming-of-age story unfolds, as Leferd ventures through his personal ‘genesis’ ritual. This journey takes him through the Chaos Realm, an alternate world filled with treacherous pandemoniums, where Leferd must make life-altering decisions to save the people he loves.

Fans, friends and family of Baril have cherished his knack for storytelling for more than a decade, he shared. The idea of writing solidified for him in high school, growing up savoring the stories of series’ like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

The Genesis book cover, pictured above, was illustrated by Jamie Noble, an illustrator from the United Kingdom.

He soon realized writers have control of how a story can take shape and affect readers on a deeper level, in the same way television shows and fantasy novels did for him. In those pivotal moments, he turned off the TV and swiftly began pouring his heart and imagination into the first iterations of what Genesis would become.

Baril has had several pivotal relationships with individuals and groups who have helped shape his works. Internships with publishing groups during his formative college years were instrumental to shape Baril's awareness of the world of editing. This exposure helped transform his earlier works into well-crafted narratives.

Baril’s mission has always been to create the very best version of a story that would entice readers of all backgrounds to savor the universe he brought to life on the page, he noted.

“When it comes to my writing, the very most important thing to me is the quality of it and making sure that every story is the best it can be,” Baril said. “At the end of the day I only get to release (my book) once — but people get to read it forever.”

These partnerships led him to connect with Jen Rees, whose editing background notably shaped the actualization of The Hunger Games novel.

Rees both supported and challenged the earlier feedback Baril received from online beta readers, reminding him the book needed to create connections between readers and Genesis’ leading protagonist.

“One of the best ways that I could create connection is if I got in his head and understood what he was trying to do and his motivations and saw the world through his eyes,” Baril said.

This partnership ultimately confirmed the high caliber of his literary work and its readiness for publication. 

Whether it be within the magic systems at play or the unfolding worlds he built for Genesis, Baril’s creative process has been heavily influenced by the natural landscapes of his upbringing in Wisconsin and his current surroundings in Colorado.

"At the end of the day I only get to release (my book) once — but people get to read it forever."

r.m. Baril

author, publisher of genesis

These environments act as an enlightening force which opens him up to new narrative directions.

“I'm lucky to have that inspiration all around me here out in Colorado,” Baril said. “Out here we have the mountains (and) in Wisconsin you've got the amazing trees and the fall colors and the pieces that come together (to) create a completely different kind of beauty.

“You see these different elements portrayed in Genesis,” he added.

The full Amped trilogy has already been completed; Baril said he has been building the second and third novels slowly over time, even before the initial publication of the first title, Genesis.

He aims to distribute the series over the next year through a “rapid release” schedule; book one already out in the world and book two slated for end-of-year publication. Baril expects the third book to be released within the first half of next year.

The author's commitment to quality over quantity will remain true as the year progresses and the trilogy unfolds. Baril’s early foundation and literary inspiration has made the creation of his fantasy world possible and will continue to guide its development — as he benefits from the control and flexibility afforded by self-publishing.

“10 years of work went in on the front end to build up all three of the stories, so that they were all ready — in all of the same quality — to be put out in the world in this rapid succession,” Baril said. “I've always been told to write the story that you want to read, so that's what I have done with Genesis.”

Discover the twists and turns of Genesis, authored by R.M Baril — the first of his Amped trilogy — and purchase the novel online through RMBaril.com.