Character Interview with Chi-Ro Jin

General Chi-Ro Jin is a hero of the first and second Psychic Wars. He was born on the planet Talis, the son of Space Commodore Jin Lan. He is a master of Hatari Ikou - the Way of Matchless Power, an extremely ancient martial art developed by Mara Kai fighting monks. While a sentinel in the Imperial Court of His Majesty The Emperor Sakara Rey I, he was secretly assigned the role of shamira or protector of Prince Armon of the Blood and has been a key figure in the pivotal Battle of Miru. Chi-Ro is one of the most highly-decorated veterans of the Psychic Wars, having been awarded the Star of Ra, Star of Enki, Order of the Tordon Raptor, Verlaine Star, Sentinel of the Cosmic Sea, Distinguished Aerospace Service Medal, and Commander of the Order of the Eternal Warrior.

1. How did you first meet Wayne Gerard Trotman?

I am Chi-Ro, son of Jin. I first met Master Wayne, the writer of ‘Veterans of the Psychic Wars’ in a waking dream of my design.

2. Did you ever expect your adventures to be written in a book?

Certainly not in a Kian book, and my recent portrayal in Talisian opera is somewhat disconcerting. However, I have dedicated my life to the service of His Majesty The Emperor Sakara Rey I; and he has entrusted me with a most important task – the safety of his only son. As shamira to the prince, it seems, my life has become of interest to others. May the scribes record it.

3. What are your favourite scenes in Veterans of the Psychic Wars: dialogue, romance, action?

I am a warrior not an orator; and I fear that at the hour of succession, the Prince Armon may abdicate for love of his Kian consort. Romance leads to folly, and in times of war, folly leads to death. So I say to you, my favourite scenes involve action, for it is by action that we will bring the Psychic Wars to an end.

4. Did you have difficulty convincing Wayne Gerard Trotman to write any particular scenes for you?

At times, I sensed a great struggle in the mind of Master Wayne regarding whether some characters should live or die; then there were times when he displayed wanton recklessness regarding the lives of his characters. Often, we were left to wonder who would die when the page was turned. To compound matters, I soon discovered that Master Wayne is also exceptionally stubborn – I suspect he may be Talisian. But, with considerable effort, I was able to influence a few of his decisions.

5. Have you ever infiltrated Wayne Gerard Trotman’s dreams?

Verily, I am Chi-Ro son of Jin, master of Hatari Ikou, and a veteran of the Psychic Wars. Dream infiltration is but one of my skills. Have you not read the book?

6. What do you enjoy doing when not on active duty?

I enjoy playing my Sythenian wax wood flute.

7. Are you currently in a relationship?

No, my beloved consort is no longer in a plane of existence that is accessible to me; and I will love no other.

8. Are you pleased with the genre you have been placed in?

Verily, military science fiction is a noble genre.

9. What would you rewrite in Veterans of the Psychic Wars, if you could?

I would completely erase the Kian character known as Dr. Zachary Silverman. I found his frivolous attitude to be most irritating; but he is the loyal friend of Master Armon, and I must admit I gained a measure of enjoyment from sparring with him. Alas, in the end, his portrayal was particularly poignant.  So, in retrospect, perhaps I would not rewrite anything.

10. Do you like the way your epic adventure ended?

A most satisfactory conclusion; however, I sense that the story has not ended. I expect I will be called upon to wield my sok-bou again.

11. Would you be interested in a sequel written by Wayne Gerard Trotman?

Verily, even if it were not my sworn duty to serve the Talisian Empire, I would be most interested in the continuation of this epic. Rest assured, I have every confidence that my psychic projections will be successful. There will be a sequel. May the scribes record it.

12. Are you happy being portrayed in digital editions or would you rather be in paperback versions only?

A veteran of the Psychic Wars cannot be limited by formats - paperback books, eBooks… All formats are suitable. In fact, I believe I would even be quite suited to that archaic form of entertainment, which Kians refer to as ‘movies’. Verily, the Kian known as Jackie Chan would be most ideal for my portrayal. Perhaps I should infiltrate his dreams…

13. Were you able to contribute to the cover design for Veterans of the Psychic Wars?

Alas, I had been engaged in Imperial duties when the cover was conceived. You will note the conspicuous absence of my image from the book cover. Instead, Kiya Mankuria was granted that honour. It seems she has also been infiltrating Master Wayne’s dreams. I must remind him that beauty can be a deadly weapon; and this is especially true of the highly trained Kiya Mankuria.

14. What is the lamest characteristic attributed to you by Wayne Gerard Trotman?

You dare to suggest that the son of Jin is lame? Ahhh… Your thoughts are transparent. You refer to the most displeasing characteristic. Forgive my outburst, the Kian use of language is often imprecise and years of combat have left me prone to intolerance. On occasion, Master Wayne made the most unsettling suggestion that Chi-Ro Jin is capable of panic, especially with regards to the protection of the prince. I assure you, I have engaged in the dance of death countless times. Panic, however mild, is not something I am capable of.

15. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I suspect, by Kian standards, any well-trained veteran of the Psychic Wars would appear to be superhuman. Nevertheless, despite my attempts, the secret of astral projection continues to elude me.

Author Bio:

Wayne Gerard Trotman is a British writer, filmmaker, artist, photographer, composer and producer of electronic music. Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Trotman immigrated to England in 1984, where he lives with his wife and two young sons.

A martial arts enthusiast, he wrote and directed 'Ashes to Ashes', Britain's first martial arts feature-film. He has a cosmopolitan and multi-cultural approach to all his artistic work, which has received recognition internationally. His epic science-fiction novel, 'Veterans of the Psychic Wars', is the first of a proposed 'Psychic Wars' series.

Synopsis:

In a distant galaxy known as the Cosmic Sea, Baron Seti Aljyk has caused the Second Psychic War by seizing Najura, the last of the ancient swords of power, and usurping the imperial throne from Sakara Rey, the True Emperor.

On Earth, young schoolteacher Roman Doyle remains unaware he is Prince Armon Sakara, heir apparent of the True Emperor. That is, until he encounters Chi-Ro Jin, a Veteran of the Psychic Wars. Chi-Ro’s mission is to return Roman to the True Emperor, but Roman believes that Chi-Ro is crazy. When Roman’s wife, Soraya, is abducted by the Baron’s assassins, Roman is forced to make the epic journey to the Cosmic Sea.

However he does not go alone. He is joined by his shamira Chi-Ro, Nuri Nemsys a beautiful secret agent, Anah Sadaka the mysterious captain of the Starglider Sanura and Roman’s friend, Zachary Silverman, a quantum physicist.

With his dormant psychic and astral abilities awakened by an alien drug and pursued by the Baron’s assassins, Roman, his friend, and the Veterans of the Psychic Wars face evil and danger in uncharted space and on alien worlds.

Roman must overcome his fears, master the martial art of Hatari Ikou, and learn the secrets of astral projection, in order to rescue his wife, retrieve the sword of power, and bring the Psychic Wars to an end.

Amazon links:
amazon.com
amazon.co.uk

Smashwords:

smashwords.com

Official site:

waynegerardtrotman.com

Interview with Milton Davis

Milton Davis is a research and development chemist living in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and two children. Describing himself as ‘a big country boy’, originally from Columbus, Georgia, Milton loves fishing and used to hunt. The publisher and author of African-inspired science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction, in the ‘Sword and Soul’ tradition of Charles R. Saunders, Milton aims to provide a form of entertainment that fills a cultural void in literature, and creates opportunities for people, around the world, to experience exciting stories and characters from African perspectives.

1. Tell us about ‘Meji’.

Meji is the story of twin brothers, Ndoro and Obaseki, born to a royal family in my fictional world of Uhuru. They are separated at birth, each growing up to become men with special abilities and a special purpose.

2. Why did you write this book, and what do you hope to achieve with it?

I’d played at writing ever since college; but I decided to get serious on my 45^th birthday - Meji was the result. I call it my celebration of pre-colonial African culture, tradition and mythology. I hope that Meji and other books I write will spark serious interest in African history, especially among people of African descent.

 

3.  Is there an underlying message in ‘Meji’?

I think Meji deals with the concepts of purpose and fate. The twins are born for a purpose. It was meant to be an origin story of a people, so it’s written with the result never in doubt.

4. You are a chemist. Has this helped you with any of your creative work, and if so, how?

I think being a chemist helps. I’m a research chemist so I’m trained to find stuff. I think this helped me discover the historical references I needed to create Meji. I’m also trained to take exisiting components and create something different or new, which also applies to fiction writing.

5. Of the characters you’ve created, do you have a favourite? If so, why this particular character?

Inaamdura, Dingane’s second Great Wife and Ndoro’s nemesis, is my favourite character. She claims the title because I think she experiences the most growth and change of any of the characters besides the twins. She began as a minor character but her actions drive much of the plot. As I studied her, to give motive behind her decisions, she evolved into a complex character.

6. How is writing science fiction or fantasy different from writing other genres?

Science Fiction and fantasy give you greater freedom to create a story. It also allows you to build worlds the way you would like them to be.

7. What did you find most rewarding in the writing process?

The creation of the story itself; I love world building.

8. What do you find most challenging, and how did you overcome it?

Editing. I hate it with a passion because I’m not that good at it. I get caught up in the story and details slip by. So I hire editors.

9. What have you done to promote and market your books, and what advice would you give to other authors?

I currently spend most of my marketing time either online with social networking or attending local book conventions. I would tell other authors to find those sites and events focused on their niche or genre and jump in. If you’re not the social type, find someone to do it for you.  Do something every day to promote your work and avoid those marketing packages that cost tons of money. My best source of sales has been the things I do above and showing up for local book events. If you’re an independent writer, you don’t have the marketing dollars to become a national sensation so focus close to home.

10. Who, do you imagine, would be your ideal reader? 

My idea reader would be a person who loves action and adventure, loves seeing the good guys win and has a keen interest in African culture, history and traditions.

11. What advice would you give to help others build the confidence required to write their first book?

That’s a tough one. The best advice I received was simply to get my story on paper. Don’t worry about anything but getting it out of your head and onto the paper. Also, take a writing class, two if possible. Some folks are natural writers but all of us can use some advice. You may discover that you have the talent or you may discover you need some work. Either way it’s progress toward what you want to do.

12. Would you like to see your book adapted for the screen? If so, do you have any aspirations, or reservations, regarding this?

I would love to see Meji as a movie. If it happened, I think it would have to be an independent production to retain its message. I’m not holding my breath, though. If it never happens, I’ll be fine.

13. Tell us a little about a good science fiction or fantasy book you’ve read recently.

I just recently completed Immortal III by Valjeanne Jeffers. It’s a great story, filled with shape shifters in a future world. 

14. What are you doing now?

I’m working on the finishing touches of Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology. It’s a collection of new stories and images by writers and artists, giving their interpretation of Sword and Soul. Charles R. Saunders and I are the editors.

15. Describe ‘Meji’ in one sentence.

Meji is the tale of twin brothers, born to fulfil a destiny that will change their world forever.

16. Where can we find you and your books?

You can find my books at my site: www.mvmediaatl.com. They are also available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and various online bookstores around the world.

Thought is more dangerous than you think...

Thought is more dangerous than you think...

In a distant galaxy known as the Cosmic Sea, Baron Seti Aljyk has caused the Second Psychic War by seizing Najura, the last of the ancient swords of power, and usurping the imperial throne from Sakara Rey, the True Emperor. On Earth, young schoolteacher Roman Doyle remains unaware he is Prince Armon Sakara, heir apparent of the True Emperor. That is, until he encounters Chi-Ro Jin, a Veteran of the Psychic Wars. Chi-Ro’s mission is to return Roman to the True Emperor, but Roman believes that Chi-Ro is crazy.

When Roman’s wife, Soraya, is abducted by the Baron’s assassins, Roman is forced to make the epic journey to the Cosmic Sea. However he does not go alone. He is joined by his shamira Chi-Ro, Nuri Nemsys a beautiful secret agent, Anah Sadaka the mysterious captain of the Starglider Sanura and Roman’s friend, Zachary Silverman, a quantum physicist.

With his dormant psychic and astral abilities awakened by an alien drug and pursued by the Baron’s assassins, Roman, his friend, and the Veterans of the Psychic Wars face evil and danger in uncharted space and on alien worlds. Roman must overcome his fears, master the martial art of Hatari Ikou, and learn the secrets of astral projection, in order to rescue his wife, retrieve the sword of power, and bring the Psychic Wars to an end.

Read the Press Release

Watch the Trailer

Interview with Kevin David Anderson

Kevin David Anderson’s novel Night of the Living Trekkies, which debuted at the San Diego Comic Con, from Quirk Books, is a funny, offbeat Zombie novel that explores the pop culture carnage that ensues when the undead crash a Star Trek Convention.  Publishers Weekly gave Night of the Living Trekkies a starred review and the Washington Post listed it as one of the top five Zombie novels not to miss in 2010.

With a lifelong passion for monsters, the walking dead, and all things that go bump in the night, Anderson was a guest at the first ever Zombie Culture convention, ZomBcom held in Seattle 2010, with other Zombie/horror genre icons like George A Romero, Bruce Campbell, and Max Brooks.  Anderson was a panellist alongside Pride and Prejudice and Zombie’s sequel and prequel author Steve Hockensmith, discussing with Zombie fans, horror, the undead, and the mash-up genre in literature.

With a background in marketing and media, Anderson has managed national award winning ad and public relation campaigns.  He is an active member of the HWA and SFWA.  Anderson’s work has been promoted in print, radio, online and in video format (book trailer).  Recent interviews include the Los Angeles Times, Star Trek Radio, Total Sci Fi Online, and BuyZombie.com.

1. Tell us about ‘Night of the Living Trekkies’.
   
   Night of the Living Trekkies, from Quirk Books, is a funny, offbeat Zombie novel that explores the pop culture carnage that ensues when the undead crash a Star Trek Convention. The idea came to me a few years back while watching one of my favourite documentaries, TREKKIES. Directed by Roger Nygard and staring Denise Crosby, it’s an in-depth and entertaining exploration of the devoted fans of Star Trek and their world, from home life to conventions. 

2. Why did you write this book, and what do you hope to achieve with it?
   
   I don’t know why I wrote the novel, but I do remember it was one I tried not to write. Even though I loved the idea, it was hard to believe that any publisher would take it on, considering the possible rights issues that might be involved.  But about the time I was considering whether or not to write it, I heard about a novel called Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I thought, if there is at least one publisher that was willing to test the limits of public domain, then maybe there were more.  So I went forward and coincidentally the same publisher and editor of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies took on Night of the Living Trekkies. 
   
   
3. Is there an underlying message in ‘Night of the Living Trekkies’?
   
   If you happen to be at a Star Trek convention during a Zombie outbreak, whatever you do, don’t get caught wearing a red shirt.  

4. You worked as a marketing professional managing award winning advertising campaigns. How influential has this expertise been in the creation of this unique work?
   
   Writing advertising copy was my first professional writing opportunity. It allowed me to explore my creative side while earning a living. Eventually I wanted to write about things that interested me, and didn’t involve promoting consumer products. But coming up with good ad copy taught me to be focused, to the point, and when possible, entertaining.    

5. Of the characters you’ve created, do you have a favourite? If so, why this particular character?
   
   A few of my short stories involve an over night truck driver named, Dale. His past is mysterious and his adventures are surreal.  His life is extremely different from mine and through him I can experience many of the choices that I didn’t make in my life.  

6. What did you find most rewarding in the writing process?
   
   There are many things I enjoy about writing, but I’d have to say that writing the words “THE END” tops the list. Whether a short story or a novel, the feeling of completion is indescribable.  Which is very misleading, because writing "THE END" upon finishing a first draft, is by no means, the end of the writing process.

7. What did you find most challenging in the writing process, and how did you overcome it?
   
   Writing is a solitary endeavour. There are no bosses hovering, insisting that you produce. You have to find your own reason and motivation to put your butt in the chair and do the work.   Being productive only comes from routine, and routine only comes from the writer’s dedication.  That was a tough thing to master. It took years to create my routine, but now that it is in place its harder to break then I could have imagined.     

 

8. An award-winning trailer was produced for ‘Night of the Living Trekkies’. Tell us about that, and other methods used to promote and market the book.
   
   I had little to do with its production, but I’m extremely pleased at how it turned out. The book gets a fair amount of promotion on its Facebook page, the Quirk Books web site and appearances at conventions like Comic Con and ZomBcon. 

9. What advice would you give to new authors with regards to marketing?
   
   I have yet to market a book on my own, so the only advice I have is to sell your manuscript to the biggest publisher you can, and let them do all the work.  

10. Who, do you imagine, would be your ideal reader?
    
    My ideal reader is someone who buys a copy of Night of the Living Trekkies for all their friends, relative, acquaintances, Facebook and Twitter friends, frendamies, enemies, BFFs and or nemesis. But I imagine that any reader who enjoys a good Sci-fi and pop-culture laugh, would love the novel.     

 

11. Would you like to see your book adapted for the screen? If so, do you have any aspirations or reservations regarding this? 
    
    There have already been a few attempts at acquiring the film rights for Night of the Living Trekkies, and it may actually happen. As far as reservations - as long as Paris Hilton isn’t in it, I’m good. 

12. What are you doing now?
    
    Currently I have two book proposals out to market.  I’m revising a YA novel, which I hope will go out to market in the next few months; and I’m ping-ponging between two other novel projects: a short story collection and a novella I’m co-authoring with a friend, short story author and editor of PodCastle, DK Thompson. 

13. Describe ‘Night of the Living Trekkies’ in one sentence.
    
    Roddenberry meets Romero.

14. Where can we find you and your book?
    
    Me, I’m usually at Starbucks. Not because I enjoy the coffee, I just don’t have an office, so it’s where I write.  Night of the Living Trekkies can be found at most bookstores, B&N and Amazon.  The German edition just came out (July 2011) and a Spanish edition is on the way.  

Links:

Kevin's Web Site
Kevin on Facebook

Night of the Living Trekkies on Facebook

Night of the Living Trekkies Book Trailer on YouTube

Night of the Living Trekkies on Amazon 

Interview with Kevin Baldeosingh

Kevin Baldeosingh is a newspaper columnist who deals with issues ranging from philosophy, literature, science, social psychology, religion, pedagogy, economics, and policy matters. In 20 years as a professional writer, has written over 2,000 newspaper articles, over 30 periodical articles and papers, 20-plus short stories, 3 novels, and a history textbook. His novels are: The Autobiography of Paras P (Heinemann Caribbean Writers Series, 1996); Virgin's Triangle (Heinemann Caribbean Writers Series, 1997); and The Ten Incarnations of Adam Avatar (Leeds: Peepal Tree Press, 2005). This last is the only work of fiction by an Anglophone Caribbean writer that covers five centuries of Caribbean history. His most recent fiction has been included in the short story collection Trinidad Noir (Akashic Press, 2009). In May 2011, CSEC History, a textbook he has co-authored with Dr Radica Mahase, will be published by Oxford University Press.

In 2007, his one-act play, The Comedian, was one of the 4 winning plays in the National Drama Association’s playwriting contest. Kevin was also one of 15 prize-winning finalists in a 2007 international essay competition, organized by the US-based TRACE Institute, on official corruption and how to prevent it. He is a co-founder and chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Humanist Association, the only organization of its kind in the Anglophone Caribbean. He is also vice-chair for ASPIRE (Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity), a lobby group seeking clarification and updating of Trinidad and Tobago’s laws on abortion in order to reduce health risks and maternal mortality associated with unsafe abortions. He was regional Chairperson for the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Canada/Caribbean) for 2000 and 2001. At present, he works for the Trinidad Express as a freelance writer and columnist.

1. Tell us about ‘The Ten Incarnations of Adam Avatar’.

It’s about a human being who dies every half-century and is reborn in a new body, initially with no memory of his/her past lives. 

2. Why did you write this book, and what do you hope to achieve with it?

I wanted to explore the question of how our identity is affected by our situation – whether we’re male, female, rich, poor, black, white etc.

3. Is there an underlying message in ‘The Ten Incarnations of Adam Avatar’? 

If any, that being human encompasses many conditional conditions.

4. I believe you are a humanist, with a deep sense of social responsibility. Has this helped you to create this work, and if so, how?

Yes, because I’m not tied to any ideology, religious or otherwise, and I feel impelled to use whatever gifts I have to improve people’s lives.

5. Of the characters you’ve created, do you have a favourite? If so, why this particular character? 

Avatar himself and, within the novel, the servant girl character, because she most embodied the traits of a Caribbean individual who overcomes adversity.

6. How is writing science fiction or fantasy different from writing other genres?

The science fiction and fantasy author has to be very well grounded in reality, logic and empiricism, or else it’s impossible to break reality’s rules and still maintain the reader’s suspension of disbelief.

7. What did you find most rewarding in the writing process? 

The sense of creating a world.

8. What did you find most challenging in the writing process, and how did you overcome it?

Just the discipline of sitting down every day to write. I set a schedule.

  

9. What have you done to promote and market your book, and what advice would you give to other authors? 

I’ve gone to book fairs, spoken to publishers and editors, while also spreading the word on my personal network through the Internet.

10. Who, do you imagine, would be your ideal reader?

Someone who is seeking both information and entertainment.

11. What advice would you give to help others build the confidence required to write their first book? 

Learn the craft.

12. Would you like to see your book adapted for the screen? If so, do you have any aspirations or reservations regarding this?

Yes. Only that a filmmaker stays true to the story.

13. Tell us a little about a good science fiction or fantasy book you’ve read recently. 

The last books I read weren’t recent – Harry Potter and Phillip Pullman.

14. What are you doing now?

I am working on my fourth novel.

15. Describe ‘The Ten Incarnations of Adam Avatar’ in one sentence. 

A novel covering five centuries of history.

16. Where can we find you and your book?

PeepalTree Press, Amazon.

Press Release - Veterans of the Psychic Wars

Exciting new trailer produced by Red Moon Productions Limited for ‘Veterans of the Psychic Wars’, the critically acclaimed science fiction novel by Wayne Gerard Trotman. Available now in Kindle, eBook and Paperback editions.


Trailer Dialogue:

A warrior from a distant galaxy is sent to Earth to retrieve Prince Armon Sakara, heir apparent of The True Emperor of the Cosmic Sea. Armon believes he is Roman Doyle. Who is Roman Doyle?

Roman Doyle is a schoolteacher. His wife is pregnant. Their life is ordinary, until he meets a Veteran of the Psychic Wars. To rescue his wife, they must travel to another galaxy. But they do not go alone; they are joined by a beautiful secret agent, a quantum physicist, and the captain of a starship.

With his astral and psychic abilities awakened by an alien drug, Roman must overcome his fears and master the martial art of Hatari Ikou. There is evil and danger everywhere, from androids, clones, shape-shifters, and monsters.

In uncharted space, and on alien worlds, join the Veterans of the Psychic Wars.

Read the Press Release

Watch the Trailer