Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an American-born, London-living author and journalist and have published two books to date. The first is a non-fiction book, LOST IN SPACE, that is part frustrated diatribe about withered Space Age dreams and part hopeful look forward in light of new entrepreneurial space ventures. The book was fun to write and research, and took me from inside the legendary SpaceShipOne (literally inside…I got to sit inside of it with its inventor, Burt Rutan) to the launchpads of Kazakhstan.
I also write feature journalism, mainly on space and science topics, and also write essays. Writing currently consumes about half of my working time; the other half is consumed by producing art and performance work here in London, where I live with my family. That’s exciting in a different way, and has very often fed my writing in unexpected ways…not least with the novel I’m currently working on!
When not writing and producing I’m often found playing tennis and guitar, though not at the same time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE EMISSARY is my latest (and first) novel. It’s a dystopian adventure loosely based on The Odyssey – those familiar with that famous tale will recognize the critical references. I suppose it was inspired by my reading, when I was about 12, of a very odd time-traveling novel called BEHOLD THE MAN by Michael Moorcock. That novel was about many things – Jesus, science, history, religion, human nature – but what I took from it was that history, both collective and personal, is a much more fragile and unreliable thing than we’d like to believe.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can write anywhere, at any time of day. Buses, trains, cafes, home; noisy, quiet, etc. If I have my laptop and at least a half-hour clear, I’m right in it.
I also like to change my writing strategies and tactics pretty regularly. I find that what works with one novel doesn’t necessarily work with another, so I’m always open to changing it up.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read almost everything by Arthur C. Clarke, David Foster Wallace, Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen, Ryszard Kapuscinski, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carson McCullers, Cormac McCarthy, Patrick O’Brian, James Salter, and Alan Holinghurst. No rhyme or reason there…though it’s a pretty blokey list save for Austen and McCullers, who I love. I read a lot, and I read broadly.
What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished the first, rough draft of a book that’s very different than either LOST IN SPACE or THE EMISSARY. It’s loosely in the historical fiction category, but it’d better fit a category called time-jumping historical fiction. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted to do, but so far so good.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning, but e-book booster has served me well so far.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write write write and read read read. There’s no substitute. And about writing: remember that if it was easy, everyone would do it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That came just this week when I heard AL Kennedy at a festival. About writing, she said, ‘It’s not complicated. It’s just that getting it right is very, very difficult.’ So true!
What are you reading now?
‘The Naked and the Dead’ by Norman Mailer. One of the most riveting, incisive war novels I’ve ever read. I try not to be too depressed by the fact that Mailer was only 24 when he wrote it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Polishing the current novel and putting together a series of dystopian short stories with a climate change theme, something I’ve long wanted to do but never before tried.
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 Three Musketeers (Alexandre Dumas) – the characters, the intrigue, the camaraderie suck me in every time
The Hunters (James Salter) – perfect prose, and I defy anyone to put it down once you hit the final third of the book
Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain) – timeless
Author Websites and Profiles
Greg Klerkx Website
Greg Klerkx Amazon Profile
Greg Klerkx’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account