Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a scientist who has worked across unconventional computing, computational chemistry, neuromorphic computing, A.I., machine learning, device physics, basically anything that involves trying to make the technologies that you see in Star Trek. As I child, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to be a scientist or an author, so I decided to do both, penning my first novel after finishing my PhD and being forced to cut out all of the cool sword fighting scenes (apparently, such drama wasn’t inappropriate for a nanotechnology PhD thesis!). Currently, I’ve drafted 10 books, in the genres of sci-fi, cyberpunk and gritty crime, of which only the first is out at the moment, but the rest should be coming in the new year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Up and up, and this one is under the pen name of Erik Sturm. This one was inspired by two events, the first, the stock market crash of 2008 when many bankers seemed surprised that the system had collapsed, although only someone very wise could have seen that coming, I wanted to preserve some of the things I heard them say in the boom years that they won’t admit to now. The other inspiration was a discussion with a fellow author at a book group about working class life and culture, which made me want to record what it was actually like growing up in London in the ’90s.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write either standing up on my laptop, or lying down on the sofa. And I have written a vast amount of copy in airport smoking lounges and bars at the early hours on the morning. Thankfully, I have a good editor, so only the boozy inspiration makes it onto the page, not the typos (I hope!)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Steven King. Martina Cole. Phillip K. Dick. Dean Koonst. Isaac Asimov. J. G Ballard. William Gibson. Virginia Andrews.
What are you working on now?
Final draft/re-edit of ‘Blood Hack’, a cyberpunk novel about a hackervist, the singularity, possession in the information era, memory, police brutality, activism, hacker culture and the possible end of humanity. And readying my sci-fi space opera ‘Sun Shadow: Voyage’ for publication, a military, sci-fi space opera.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working that out!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
When you are writing, write every single day, try for 2000 words, then sleep and let your subconscious work out the problems. That, and find that one person (or people, if you’re lucky) who’s willing to listen to you talk about your plot, read the drafts and be as engaged in your books as you are — you can then get them to help you with plot issues!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write everyday, at least 2000 words, I got this from Steven King’s book on writing.
What are you reading now?
The speed of sound by Eric Bernt
What’s next for you as a writer?
Get those two novels out the door! Then start editing and promoting the next ones.
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?
The count of Monte Cristo, Lord of the Rings trilogy, and to be honest, whatever was highly rated on Amazon under ‘desert island survival’
Author Websites and Profiles
E M Gale Website