Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an engineer by day, and just finished my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Dreams of Eschaton, is sort of an homage/love letter to H.P. Lovecraft. I tried to play on a lot of his themes of cosmic horror, existential despair, and the unknowable and put a new spin on it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve found myself to be extremely neurotic about my writing. I guess it’s because I’m an engineer, but I can’t help but try to make the tiniest details as accurate as possible, to the point that I find myself pouring through history books to use an actual name for a throw-away line that no one will ever get. It’s pointless and exhausting, but I can’t help it – I hope that’s an unusual habit.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
H.P. Lovecraft, obviously, but also a lot of other modern horror writers – Stephen King, Dan Simmons (Carrion Comfort is one of my favorite books ever), Richard Matheson.
Recently I’ve also picked up Peter Watts. I’m currently working on Echopraxia after loving Blindsight.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a hard science fiction novel that’s really going to be a departure from Dreams of Eschaton. Its about these people building an interstellar travel system – the catch is they have to fly at sub-light speeds to the destination to build the exits, so they’re on a one-way trip.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is certainly best for guilting your family into buying copies. As a new writer, I’m still exploring the promotional possibilities, and hope to find a good one soon. Let me get back to you on that one.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a new author myself, I’m actually looking for as much advice as I can get, so I have very little to spare.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For aspiring writers? I think the best was from Stephen King, who just said something along the lines of “Write, write and then write some more.” It really does get easier the more you do it.
What are you reading now?
Echopraxia by Peter Watts. I read Blindsight a year or so ago while on vacation, and was blown away – just an incredible book. I can’t wait to really sink my teeth into the follow-up.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I anticipate continuing to churn out small bits that I self-publish on Amazon.
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?
I would take Hyperion, by Dan Simmons, because it almost functions as a collection of stories, with differing tones and characters. Hopefully that’d stay fresh through a couple of re-reads.
I think my other two or three books would have to be some sort of compendium of short stories by a variety of authors, that way I could keep from getting burned out of one.
Author Websites and Profiles
Josh Shiben Website
Josh Shiben Amazon Profile
Josh Shiben’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile