Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve traveled the world, and worked at a bewildering number of jobs, but I’ve now settled on working as an author. I’ve written four novels: ELDORADO, THE ARX, THE BLACK HEART OF THE STATION, and VITA AETERNA. All have elements of Science Fiction, and all but THE ARX have dystopian themes.
I have several new novels in the works. My next release, probably in the first half of 2019, will be a sequel to THE BLACK HEART OF THE STATION, tentatively called BLACK HEART: ARRIVAL.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is called Vita Aeterna (Eternal Life). It’s the story of a street-kid who undergoes a medical procedure to moderately extend his lifespan, and suddenly finds himself running from his life from the most powerful man in the world.
Believe it or not, I got the idea from talking to my cat, commenting on how we were both getting older, but at different rates.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to spend a lot of time writing on a ferry between Vancouver and Victoria on Vancouver island. Lately I do most of my writing in an office at home, or in coffee shops.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have very eclectic tastes in reading. I like imagination, action, adventure, and humour. I loved Catch 22, I’m a big fan of Kurt Vonnegut, and Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide. In Science Fiction, I loved Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End, and Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.
What are you working on now?
I like to work on several things at once – if I feel ‘stuck’ on one, I’ll switch over to the other for a break. Right now I’m mainly working on a sequel (and a ‘prequel’) to BLACK HEART, and a sequel to VITA AETERNA.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The only method I’ve ever had much success with is offering KDP Free days. I know some authors balk at giving their books away, but I think the biggest challenge for ‘indie’ authors like my self is obscurity. The more people who are exposed to my books, the better.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you love writing, write. Don’t expect to get rich. That may happen (though it’s unlikely), but if you have that as your goal, not only will you probably be disappointed, but your books will probably not be very good. I write about things that interest me, not things that I think will sell.
Also, I think I avoided writing for a long time because of fear of failure. I would advise prospective authors just to write. Don’t worry about whether or not you’re the next James Joyce. Try to write something great, but don’t obsess over it being a world-changing masterpiece.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your bliss, or something to that effect.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading a non-fiction travel book called ‘The Nine Horizons: Travel in Sundry Places’, by Mike Robbins.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m planing to finish the sequels I’m working on, probably by the end of next year. I’ve also got what I expect to be a novella in the works, that I hope to finish by the end of next year, and a few ideas for new projects.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That’s a very difficult question, but if I had to pick one, I guess it would be Catch 22.
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