Interview With Author Lance Ce’
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Lance Ce’, a London-based debut author who’s just taken the leap into publishing with my first short story, The Robot and the Alien. I’ve always been fascinated by the emotional side of science fiction—the quiet moments between the big ideas. I come from a background of creativity, curiosity, and a slightly unhealthy obsession with thinking about the future.
Although this is my first published book, I’ve been writing privately for years—sketching out ideas, world-building, and exploring characters. The Robot and the Alien is the first story I felt ready to share with the world, and it’s just the beginning. I’m working on more pieces that range from reflective, emotional sci-fi to gritty military sci-fi, because I love exploring both the intimate and the epic sides of storytelling.
When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading, sketching ideas, or thinking about what makes us human in an increasingly digital world. Also, I make a mean cup of tea.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first!) book is The Robot and the Alien. It’s a quiet, reflective sci-fi story about a lone robot who awakens after millions of years and encounters a mysterious alien presence. There’s no battle, no grand mission—just memory, time, and two beings trying to understand each other.
The inspiration came from my fascination with the path technology is leading us on—one that could isolate us or bring us closer together, depending on how we choose to use it. I’ve always been intrigued by the emotional side of artificial intelligence and the idea of consciousness lingering long after its purpose is forgotten. This story grew from that—what would a robot remember, feel, or long for, if left alone for an eternity?
It’s my attempt to show that even in the silence of deep time, connection might still be possible.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One of my more unusual writing habits is that everything—ideas, outlines, character notes, random midnight thoughts—lives entirely in digital form. I don’t use notebooks or sticky notes, which might seem odd for someone trying to become an author. There’s something about the flexibility of digital tools that works for me—I can edit on the fly, reorganize chaos into structure, and back it all up just in case inspiration strikes on a bus or at 2 a.m.
That said, I do occasionally romanticize the idea of scribbling in a battered notebook in some café—but in reality, it’s more likely to be a glowing laptop screen and a strong cup of tea at home.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Most of my inspiration actually comes from outside traditional fiction. I’m more drawn to research articles, science papers, and reports on new tech developments than classic novels. It’s that intersection of where we are now and where we could be going that really fires up my imagination. I love digging into the possibilities—ethical, emotional, and technological—of where humanity might end up.
That said, I do admire authors who explore the human condition through speculative lenses. But it’s those real-world sparks from emerging science that tend to light the fire.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on my next short story, Hearts in the Sky. It’s another emotionally driven piece, this time centered around children learning to understand loss—and the surprising beauty they can sometimes find in sadness. It explores how kids can see the world through a lens of wonder and acceptance that adults often forget. Like my first story, it’s quiet, reflective, and a little strange in the best way.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning the ropes, but so far, I’ve found that being authentic and engaging with readers on platforms like Reddit (in the right subreddits!) has real potential. I also use sites like AwesomeGang and plan to explore more book promotion communities and newsletters geared toward indie authors.
Honestly, the best method so far has been simply talking about the story—what it means, why I wrote it—and hoping it resonates with people. It’s early days, but I’m finding that a thoughtful, human approach goes further than spamming links.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t wait until you feel completely “ready”—just start. Your first story doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to exist. Publishing something, even a short piece, teaches you more than months of planning ever could. Also, don’t be afraid to write what you care about, even if it’s strange or quiet or doesn’t fit a trend. There’s room for all kinds of voices.
Oh, and back everything up. Especially if, like me, you do everything digitally!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard was, “Don’t aim for perfect—aim for real.” It reminded me that stories don’t have to be flawless to connect with people. They just have to be honest. That mindset helped me let go of the pressure and finally publish my first piece. Sometimes, the rough edges are where the truth lives.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m deep into a white paper on how Google is using AI-generated content to train new models—specifically their work with the WildChat dataset. It’s a fascinating shift from the traditional approach of relying solely on human-generated content. Not your average beach read, but I love diving into the tech behind the tools we use every day.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me is exploring new theories and the hypothetical—diving into emerging ideas in science, technology, and human experience—and shaping them into stories. I’m interested in the space where imagination and possibility meet, and I want to keep writing pieces that reflect that intersection. Whether it’s emotional, philosophical, or speculative, I’m drawn to the “what ifs” that make us think a little differently.
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 A-Z, Dictionary, Survival guide and 101 dishes for camping. 😉
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