Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is S.J. Maddock and I’m a first time author with a passion for witty prose and high-paced plots. I’ve written extensively but haven’t published any other work yet. If my first book is successful, I intend to make a 6-book series out of it, the detailed outline of which is already drafted.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest and first novel is called “The Cosmic Misfortunes of the Furious Ginger”, a book I had in me since childhood and essentially my take at the humorous science fiction adventure novel.
I’ve drawn inspiration from a variety of classic sci-fi sources. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is my favorite book as it combines elements of science fiction and sheer grotesque. I wanted to emulate what made the book a success while sprinkling some of the more classic science fiction tropes found in other sci-fi works (such as my other all-time favorites, Dune and Hyperion).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing schedule is fairly standard for an indie author. I typically get back home from my day job at 7 in the evening, which allows me to put in two solid hours of writing. Over the weekends, I’d usually write double that amount.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I hinted at previously, Douglas Adams, Frank Herbert and Dan Simmons have been huge influence. Outside of the science fiction realm, I find Cormac McCarthy’s novels real masterpieces of style (especially Blood Meridian). I enjoy reading Dan Brown as well for his mastery of pace and cliffhangers.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to “The Cosmic Misfortunes of the Furious Ginger”!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As cliche as it sounds, building a newsletter is the most viable option when it comes to book promotion. At an indie author, that’s certainly where I’m aiming at!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot. Identify a handful of novels that really strike a chord in you, and then read them many times, figuring out what you like about them and how to emulate them. And remember, stealing is ok, copying isn’t.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write as if nobody’s watching. Cauz nobody’s watching. Or in other words, let your imagination run wild.
What are you reading now?
Children of Ruin, from Adrian Tchaikovsky. I thoroughly enjoyed the first opus, Children of Time, winner of the Hugo Award and look forward to discovering where the author takes us on this original take of inter-species space travel tale.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now I’m fairly busy with the promotion of “The Cosmic Misfortunes of the Furious Ginger”, but I intend to begin writing the sequel soon thereafter, and then perhaps begin a new soft science fiction series.
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?
Blood Meridian (for its re-readability), the Dune trilogy and the Bible.