Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. G’day, I’m Craig Marchant—mental health advocate, public speaker, tech nerd, and dad to five amazing (and occasionally exhausting) kids. I’ve lived with depression, anxiety, and schizoaffective disorder for most of my life, and Conquer Your Inner Demons is my way of turning pain into purpose. I’ve worked in IT, built businesses, trekked the Inca Trail for charity, and survived multiple suicide attempts. Now I spend my time helping others realise they’re not broken—they’re just battling inner demons like the rest of us.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book Conquer Your Inner Demons?
A2. Honestly, reliving some of those dark moments wasn’t easy. Writing about suicide attempts, psychosis, and hospitalisations brought up a lot of raw emotion. But I kept reminding myself that if sharing my story could help even one person feel less alone, it was worth it. Another challenge was figuring out how to balance the serious stuff with some lighter, more relatable moments, because mental illness isn’t just doom and gloom. It’s also about finding joy and meaning in the everyday.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. David Eddings and Robert Jordan gave me a lifelong love for storytelling. Their fantasy worlds were my escape when real life felt overwhelming. But in terms of raw honesty and voice, I’d say Stephen King showed me the power of vulnerability on the page. I also draw inspiration from memoirs and personal development books—anything that gets real about struggle and growth.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. The Inca Trail may have changed my life, but here in Australia, I’d say the Southern Highlands in New South Wales holds a special place in my heart. I lived there during some tough years, and it’s where I started my real journey toward healing. There’s something about the fresh air, rolling hills, and slower pace that helped me reconnect with myself. Plus, nothing beats a meat pie from a proper country bakery.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book Conquer Your Inner Demons?
A5. I wanted to write the book I wish I’d had when I was drowning in darkness. After years of battling schizoaffective disorder, depression, and anxiety—and surviving multiple suicide attempts—I knew I had something worth sharing. I wanted people to see that you can hit rock bottom and still come back stronger. The book is part memoir, part guide, and all heart.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book Conquer Your Inner Demons?
A6. It took me around three to four months to complete the full manuscript. Some parts poured out of me, while others… well, I had to step away and give myself space. Certain memories were just too heavy to face all at once. But once I found my rhythm, the words came with surprising clarity. Interestingly, the second half of the book—the practical, self-help side—ended up being just as therapeutic for me as I’d hoped it would be for my readers. Writing it was healing in more ways than one.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Conquer Your Inner Demons is available in both paperback and ebook formats. You can grab it on Amazon, Booktopia, or order it through most online retailers. If you’re in Australia, some local bookstores can also order it for you. I’m also working on getting it into more hands through my own website.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title Conquer Your Inner Demons?
A8. The title hit me during a moment of deep reflection. I realised my life had been a constant battle—not just against depression or schizoaffective disorder, but against the inner critic, the self-doubt, the lies my mind had whispered for years. I needed a title that felt strong, empowering, and real. Conquer Your Inner Demons was the perfect fit—both a personal declaration and an invitation for others to do the same.
As for the cover, it was designed by the incredible team at Ultimate World Publishing. But the image? That’s a photo I took myself while trekking the Inca Trail in Peru in 2016—a journey that became a turning point in my life. It felt only fitting to use that moment, captured in nature’s raw beauty, as the backdrop for a book about resilience and personal transformation.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I mix it up—stories, humour, the occasional dad joke. Mental health can be a heavy topic, so I try to bring in light where I can. I’m also brutally honest in my writing. I think readers connect with that. If I’m laughing, crying, or questioning everything while writing, chances are the reader will feel something too. That’s the goal.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. Write like you’re having a conversation with one person—someone who really needs to hear what you have to say. Don’t worry about sounding fancy or perfect. Just be real. That advice freed me to write in my own voice, which is probably why the book resonates with people who have been through the trenches.
Sassy Reviews 