Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a British born writer currently living in Finland. I began writing early, winning a short story competition to write stories for then baby Prince William. Later, I wrote game modules for a Star Wars role playing game. More recently, I have written short stories for the last four anthologies from Inklings Press, and you can find my stories on my podcast, StorycastRob and R B Wood’s Word Count Podcast.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest story is The Lords of Negative Space, and appears in Inklings Press’s anthology Tales from the Underground. It’s a modern day fairy tale set in the basement of a London hospital. It pulls elements from my previous working life, fairy legends and mathematics. It began life as a writing exercise, trying a style that I don’t normally use, and has ended up as something I’m rather proud of.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The usual, really: stare at a deadline and see who blinks first.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have an eclectic mix of influences that pull from various ages of sci fi and fantasy: Eric Frank Russel’s Wasp for golden age sci fi with rocket ships and punch card computers. Robert A Heinlein’s Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Roger Zelazny’s Amber series, McCaffery’s Pern series, all the way up to modern YA writer Rysa Walker. Comic books are also a strong influence with writers like Stan Lee, Mark Waid, Chris Claremont, Peter David and Geoff Johns all rattling around in my head too.
What are you working on now?
I have two works in progress, both deep into the editing stage. You can hear chapters of my urban fantasy story Writ in Blood and Silver on my podcast, I’m hoping to publish that early 2018. My other is a YA superhero/sci fi adventure with the working title “So you want to be a Space Alien Super Hero”.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotion remains something of a mystery for me. I tweet, and engage with several writers’ groups on Facebook, thankfully several of the other Inklings are much more clued up on that side than me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find the path that suits you. Don’t worry too much about finding advice, as I’ve seen a contradiction for just about every inspirational writer quote out there. Find what works for you and stick with it. That said… write when you can, read when you can, and master the basics before trying to break the rules.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Okay, now edit that.”
What are you reading now?
Trust a Few by E M Swifthook
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my edits on Writ in Blood and Silver, and So you want to be a Space Alien Super Hero. Then look towards a sequel, tentatively titled The Etiquette of Space Alien Super Hero Team-ups.
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?
Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber, Memory by Loid McMaster Bujold, oh, and some sort of “How to survive on a desert island” guide book
Author Websites and Profiles
Rob Edwards Website
Rob Edwards Amazon Profile
Rob Edwards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account