Interview With Author Michael Limeski
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an engineer turned fiction author. This is my first venture into Sci-Fi. I have written extensive technical writing, poetry, a wild-ideas monthly column, and was co-publisher of Model Rocketry Magazine. My interest is in "technically-consistent" hard science fiction (if science fiction is ever really scientific!). I have degrees in engineering from MIT and Georgia Tech, and have worked in aeronautics, rocketry, software, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
FutureView Startup is about a high-tech startup company that managed to develop a time machine. I found that writing about time travel created inconsistent plots (the Grandfather Paradox), so I had to throw out a lot of what I wrote to develop a consistent theory of time travel. I welcome readers to report any flaws in my theory! The book series continues with FutureView Saving the Future, to come out in the Fall, and I am writing Book 3 now.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A developed complex software as an engineer and found the problems of plot and character changes can lead to mistakes in left-over text. I started using a spreadsheet to keep track of what different characters know, and when they know it. And, since the reader is also carried along, I track what the reader knows.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was deeply into the traditional sci-fi authors: Asimov, Heinlein, Bradbury, etc. Heinlein's Starship Troopers actually got me to enlist in military service! (Not that terrible movie, the book!). Now I've read more time travel stuff from Van Coop, Victor Zugg, Douglas Richards, and, of course, Michael Crichton.
What are you working on now?
Completing the FutureView series. The neat thing about changing history is that you can write multiple stories about the same characters over the same time period! I have realized new capabilities and applications of the same technology in the later books.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Trying to focus on my website to maintain some control. (www.MichaelLimeski.com) Amazon dominates independent publishing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I attended the 20Books conference in 2021 and was blown away by all the material for authors. I will be sure to attend the conference in Las Vegas in November this year.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Frank discussions from experienced authors can make an order of magnitude difference in success. Listening to the SelfPublishingFormula podcast.
What are you reading now?
Trying to cover the field in time travel to see what others are doing. Since I am interested in high-tech drama, I'm finding it hard to search out by category
What’s next for you as a writer?
More science fiction, especial hard sci-fi.
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 a waterproof kindle and a solar-powered charger.