Interview With Author AJ Pagan
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I am a somewhat scientist who likes to be outdoors much more than in a lab, cook a hell of a lot, and am married – I met my wife at the airport, but that’s a whole other interview mind you… I have written six novels, Brian is my first written and published. I’m hoping to edit and publish one each year at least – and continue writing of course, we’ll see how that goes!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Brian, Created Intelligence. As I was earning my Master’s in organic chemistry, I was looking for jobs in 3D organ printing, a still new field that’s not quite ready, but it’s coming and amazing. Well, my brain had a thought, what if a brain was created? And how would that go? Horribly. I stopped writing my thesis and Brian was born.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I suppose so. Once I get in the groove for a new book, I wake up around 4AM and bang out as much as I can before I need to actually start my day, about 2k words or hopefully more. I research A LOT, usually before I start a new book, and always during as well. I do not read books as I write. I don’t like the influence and I have noticed it. I read a lot when I’m not working on a project.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jurassic Park (first the movie – I was about 5 or 6, then 12 with the book) made me a scientist. The wonder, the magic and awe of creation from your brain was so and still is so fascinating to me. Hyperion and Dune are amazing, and I don’t even like Space Opera, they just do it the right way. If I can write a novel half as good as either, I’ll consider myself successful sales or not.
What are you working on now?
Oh heck. I am brewing a story at the moment but I don’t talk about those things. I am editing my third novel, DreamState, and that should be around in Summer of 2023. A lil near future sci-fi with some slavery elements, like Brian, but even worse and based in Los Angeles.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hell if I know! Hopefully AwesomeGang?! Twitter has not been great. I hope to land a BookBub deal but those take time to win apparently.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the motherfuck out of your book and never stop. Don’t give up because your family or friends are a bunch of assholes who ignore your creativity, don’t give up because of someone online you don’t even know said something mean. Write like a fucking lunatic and don’t ever get down. You have a unique story, and it should be told. Also, hire an editor if you’re self publishing – be professional.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn from other peoples’ mistakes. Not everything has to make you bloody if you’ve seen someone else come away scathed.
What are you reading now?
Reap3r by Eliot Peper. So far so damn good. He writes like a science fiction Fitzgerald, full of information and intellect.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My literal goal is to be nominated for the Hugo Award for Brian, Created Intelligence. Is that presumptuous of my own work? Of course it is, but if you’re not confident in your work, who will be? I am creating a new sub-genre of science fiction – neurosci – and I would like that credit…
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hyperion. The Fall of Hyperion. The Sun Also Rises. The Great Gatsby.
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