Rick Novy Interview

Continuing with my rounds of interviews from the amazing independent authors I've met on social media, I give you now Speculative Fiction/Sci-Fi author: Rick Novy!

In what genre do you write for the most part?

I write mainly speculative fiction, with a leaning toward the SF side of the fence.

Give us a brief synopsis of your book(s)

Fishpunk

When Wisconsin Territory botanist Calvin Scholz receives a mysterious package from an old friend who recently came to an untimely demise, it sparks a wild adventure. The mid-1840s is a dangerous time, for the Americans are at war with Mexico.

Scholz survives attempts on his life as he tries to deliver the package to his friend’s brother, a Savannah ichthyologist interested in fish-powered machinery--ichthyotech. The situation grows increasingly dire, and Scholz finds himself aboard a riverboat in the Amazon Basin wilderness.

While this novel contains a fast-moving, original story, it is also a tasteful parody of the Steampunk movement. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as a few compulsory bad puns.

Rigel Kentaurus

It’s the first human voyage outside the solar system, and Proxima Centauri is the destination. The crew of the sleeper ship Deep Space discovers we are not alone, and not everyone out there is nice. Diverted to Alpha Centauri A (Rigel Kentaurus) to fetch and return a faster-than-light prototype, the crew learns that humanity is the only civilization to ever solve the light barrier problem. Now, Deep Space must defend it as a military secret, because the mysterious Betels have been at war with the brutal Thrace since before mankind discovered fire–all with sublight space travel.

Neanderthal Swan Song

The world of anthropology would have been excited when a perfectly preserved Neanderthal body is discovered in the Greenlandic permafrost, if authorities would allow the details out. When an American anthropologist involved in the excavation is denied access to the body, she uses an illicit tissue sample as source material to carry the Neanderthal’s clone to term herself.

Meet Ike Mudge, twenty-first-century Neanderthal man. Self-educated and raised in a laboratory thirty-thousand years out of his time, he is alone in a world of billions. Will it drive him insane, or will he make a final contribution for his kind–a Neanderthal Swan Song?

When did you start writing?

I wrote on and off since I was in grade school.

What inspired you to write?

I'm not really sure. It's as if there has always been this knowledge deep down that I would write.

If your books were made into a movie, who would play the roles?

I envisioned Johnny Depp playing the protag in Neanderthal Swan Song, but Depp is gettig too old for the role. Other than that, I haven't really put much thought into actors playing the parts in my books. There isn't much to be gained by spending mental energy on it, unless you use that to build the character in your mind. Usually, I already have a personality in mind for my characters, so actors don’t play much of a role in my character creation.

What would be your choice for a superpower?

The best superpower there is would be to have incredibly good luck.

Who is your favorite author?

I don't really have a favorite; there are so many good ones out there.  In fact, I can't read consecutive books by the same author. I usually start tiring of the voice, and even if I don't I want to prevent that from happening.

What are you reading now?

Harlan Ellison's The Other Glass Teat, Kim Stanley Robinson's Antarctica, Manfred Schroeder Fractals, Chaos, Power Laws, and a few more. I haven't been absorbed by any of these books, so I jump back and forth. 

Who is your favorite character to write?

I had a lot of fun writing Robert Wenthworth in Fishpunk. He is madcap, but not stupid. That makes him a lot of fun to write. I also had a lot of fun with Malshaak in Rigel Kentaurus. I enjoy writing from the alien point of view and I'm told I'm pretty good at it.

Do you have a writing process?

It all comes down to butt-in-chair time.

What do you do when you aren’t writing?

I'm an avid aquarist. I have anywhere between 12 and 20 aquariums going at once, depending on what I happen to be trying to do at any given time.  Breeding can take a lot of tank space.  I'm a member of the crew at wetwebmedia.com, a great resource for people struggling with aquarium-related problems and trying to heal sick fishes.

I'm also am a pretty avid NFL fan, with allegiances to Green Bay and Arizona. I teach math at the local community college as adjunct faculty. I have a big yard to take care of, and I'm a dad to three teenagers.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Keep writing, be persistent, and find your own game. Your writing is like nobody else's, so don't try to imitate, just be yourself. But, those million practice words are not optional. Keep working on improving at all times.

What sets your books apart from others of the genre?

I don't think the author is ever the right person to answer this question.

What method do you use to publish your books for those of us who might not know how?

I'm an independent author, and I mean truly independent. I am trained as an engineer and scientist, so I understand how ebooks work. In fact, a few years ago I wrote a short non-fiction book on how to create EPUB files. It's obsolete now because in those days, the software to do it for you didn't exist. Now, I just use the tools that are available.  So, back to the question, I write the books, I create the ebook files, I manage the accounts on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and all my other online vendors, and I am responsible for fixing any problems. That doesn't mean I don't get help, it just means that I am the decision-maker and ultimately responsible for the quality of my product, or lack thereof.

Where can we find you on social media?

Twitter: @ricknovy https://twitter.com/RickNovy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rick-Novy/232154546810035?ref=hl (I've already like it!)

www.ricknovy.com

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Novy/e/B004XMBW08

Barnes and Noble Author Page:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/rick-novy

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/fishpunk

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=Rick+Novy&t=none&f=author&p=1&s=averagerating&g=both

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Interview with E.W. Greenlee

In the following weeks, I will be conducting interviews with fellow authors (mostly fantasy/sci-fi) to introduce some of you to my friends and peers.

I had the pleasure of interviewing E.W. Greenlee, fellow writer who often authors supernatural and Sci-Fi, along with fantasy. I could go one telling you about him, but instead, let's sit back and read along as we find out more about this author!


When did you start writing? My first writing was in high school. It was a supernatural short story for a class titled: Literature of the Supernatural. It was at the time my teacher gave it an A+ and specifically pulled me aside to say I should consider a career in writing. Unfortunately, I was more in love with architecture than writing. My skills in grammar are not that impressive, but I always kept this in mind. In the 1990’s I wrote two stories on an old typewriter. However in 2000 I devoted myself to a 10 year journey to write an epic fantasy mythology titled: The Chosen One of Allivar.

Why do you write? I write because I truly miss stories that spark my imagination and thought. Often I read current stories where the author provides so much detail that my imagination is not allowed to take off. Or, the plot is so simple, it appears written for elementary level thought processes. I like challenges such as Dante’s Inferno, Paradise lost and the complete world of JRR Tolkien.

If your books were made into a movie, who would play the roles? Boy this is a hard one to answer. Since I am 53 years old and do not follow much of the current actors skills, I cannot name anyone at the moment. Whoever would be selected would have to play the roles in a humble manner. My characters are not super humans. They are human, with human weaknesses and fears.

What would be your choice for a superpower? The power of invisibility. The old expression, “Oh, to be a fly on the wall”, applies to me. This is similar to wearing the ring of power and being invisible like Bilbo and Frodo, without all the side effects, of course.

Who is your favorite author? Without doubt JRR Tolkien because he created an entire mythology complete with languages. He was also able to devote his entire life to the expansion of this mythology, instead of shifting track depending on whatever the current reader trends were. He remained loyal to himself and controlled for the most part his own creation. That quality I find very noble.

What are you reading now? I am reading George RR Martin’s – Game of Thrones. However, I admit fully to being a very slow reader. College taught me that reading the classics cannot be rushed, for the authors truly put effort into each sentence.

Who is your favorite character to write? At the current moment it is the antagonist, because one has to step into the mind of evil thoughts. This is very difficult, well, not as difficult as writing about a woman.

Do you have a writing process? Yes, I am CPA and Financial Advisor, so I am methodical. I first draft the chapters and the premise for each chapter. I jump into writing and then proof read after the story is complete, making edits for everything to blend properly.

What do you do when you aren’t writing? When I’m not assisting clients or writing, I have been trying to refresh my passion for sketching and drawing. I am also trying to learn more about controlling my artistic affairs by gaining knowledge of Adobe’s complete create suite. I have much to learn yet. Join a Toastmasters International speech club, get active and enter speech contests where you can further your story telling skills and get the word out about your writing works.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Never, ever give up. Changes in self-publishing allow for everyone to give writing a try. In the end, it is not whether a publisher, agent, or editor likes your works, it is the reader. However, you must be open to constructive criticism and evaluation. I am also a member of Toastmasters International, where one can learn the craft of writing speeches, learning to evaluate and be evaluated, and just have a lot of fun.

What inspired you to pursue writing? JRR Tolkien is my greatest inspiration. His world allowed me to consider creating my own and to daydream again.

Tell us about your books I am currently writing a nineteen story mythology. Three of these stories are already completed and comprise the trilogy – The Chosen One of Allivar. The titles to the trilogy are:

Rise of the Fallen 

Bound to Forbidden Lands
Last Stand of the Living

The trilogy can stand alone, but I posed a question to my readers on whether they wanted more of the history. With a resounding yes, I have begun the next series which will comprise nine books, then a final series of seven books. Each of these series compliments the trilogy from a different perspective, one will truly understand upon completing the trilogy.

What sets your books apart from others of the genre? I would like to think that my stories separate me in that I created my very own world with unique beings and characteristics. The stories are fun and exciting reads, but they are also meant to challenge the mind and move one’s emotions.


E.W. Greenlee is a CPA and Financial Advisor living in Norman, OK. His world consists of oppressive regulations and compliance, where creativity can only land you in prison. To escape the bonds of mortal conformity and retain some sense of humor, he delves into the realm of fantasy, supernatural and science fiction writing. His first writing was a supernatural short story all the way back in 1976 and his English teacher suggested he consider a writing career.

Raised in a competitive family, there were no boundaries established to day-dreaming, art or any other creative endeavor. E.W. shares his free time with his wife for life, Tracy, and their Golden Retriever Ruby. In his spare time, EW blogs, sketches and delves into computer graphics or spends time in the outdoors dreaming of new stories and worlds.

For more information and social media links on EW Greenlee please visit his website

Website: http://www.allivarcreative.com/

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Quick Announcement!

I was on Gelati's Scoop GZONE blog talk radio 6/21/12 @ 4pm doing an interview if anyone is interested in checking it out.It was a ton of fun and I had a good deal of information to share with any fans of Realm of Ashenclaw or fantasy in general. I also mentioned SKULLDUST CIRCLE and plans for me being @ GENCON this August!

The link for the show is here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop/2012/06/21/gary-vanucci-and-gay-balliet-drop-by

Blog post here: http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2012/06/gary-vanucci-4-pm-est-g-zone-be-there.html