Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written eight Shadow Gods Saga hard sci-fi novels, and six contemporary political drama books. I started writing science fiction while still in college, but didn’t get published until 2001. My Cry of Eagles won the coveted 2011 Readers’ Favorite silver medal award, and All the Evils was the 2013 prestigious Eric Hoffer contest finalist and Readers’ Favorite silver medal winner. Strike for Honor won the gold medal. Legitimate Power is a 2017 Book Excellence Awards finalist.
I leveraged a successful career in the Information Technology industry, which took me to the Middle East working on cellphone systems. I applied my IT discipline to create realistic storylines for my books. Writing has been a road of discovery, helping me broaden my horizons. I also spend time as an editor and book reviewer. I live in Melbourne, Australia.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lifeliners came from a short stroy I wrote using the same name, and the theme came to me while on a plane to Europe. I carry my notebook whenever I travel to capture gems of inspiration, which sometime turn out to be paste diamonds.
Lifeliners deals with people who are able to draw energy from another person. They are the next step in man’s evolution, and nature’s mechanism to enable humans to cope with the high pressure Western lifestyle. Predictably, they are seen as a threat and governments around the world seek to eradicate them. Read a sample chapter on my website: https://www.stefanvucak.com/books/lifeliners
Having written the short story, the concept kept circulating in my mind. I finally decided that the story would make a good book. At least I hope readers will find it so. Lifeliners is due for release in September. I have to finish writing it first, but I am almost there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual only inasmuch that I am a morning person, and I do some of my best writing while most people are still in bed. That is a generalization, as I write whenever the urge prods me.
I always write longhand on a pad and trsnascribe the work to my computer, editing as I go along. I tried writing directly into the computer, but that just doesn’t work for me. Unusual…perhaps.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
That makes a long list, as I am an avid reader with a collection of over 900 books, not counting those I have reviewed for other authors.
My interest spans many genres: English/French naval wars, techno thrillers, hard science fiction, historical drama, contemporary politics, and all sciences. Some of the authors who have made an impression include:
Robert A. Heinlein
Larry Niven
Dale Brown
Stephen Coonts
Roger Zelazny
Mary Stewart
Francis Fukuyama
The list goes on.
What are you working on now?
Lifeliners came from a short stroy I wrote using the same name, and the theme came to me while on a plane to Europe. I carry my notebook wherever I travel to capture gems of inspiration, which sometime turn out to be paste diamonds.
Lifeliners deals with people who are able to draw energy from another person. They are the next step in man’s evolution, and nature’s mechanism to enable humans to cope with the high pressure Western lifestyle. Predictably, they are seen as a threat and governments around the world seek to eradicate them. Read a sample chapter on my website: https://www.stefanvucak.com/books/lifeliners
Having written the short story, the concept kept circulating in my mind. I finally decided that the story would make a good book. At least I hope readers will find it so. Lifeliners is due for release in September. I have to finish writing it first, but I am almost there.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Like other authors, I prediminantly use social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Goodreads.
Having found Awesome Gang, I hope listing my books there will contribute to increasing my visibility.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If there is one thing I learned over the years as a writer, if anyone is contemplating taking this on seriously, he or she should be prepared to spend many lonely hours with a pencil and paper, and sitting behind a computer screen. There will be disappointments, frustration, angst … and moments of sheer exhilaration and satisfaction when the words flow and the creative process produces something wonderful. Writing is a gift, but it can also be a curse. But once bitten with the urge to create, there is no cure.
Technically, I would advise new writers to master the art of editing and becoming their worst critic. Don’t get attached to your writing, and be prepared to chop words, sentences, and paragraphs that don’t contribute something to the story. When getting a review, accept criticism! Have a glass of bourbon and get on with it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up!
If a writer has that fire of creation burning inside, regardless of what might be happening in life, don’t let the fire smoulder and go out. Share your vision with others.
What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Singularity, book three of Ian Douglas Star Carrier trilogy. I found it somewhat entertaining, but not overly exciting.
Right now, I am reviewing The Kuiper Belt Deception by Donald F. Averill for Reader’s Favorite.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Having written six contemporary political drama/thriller novels, I feel I need a break from this genre. I have a concept for another Shadow Gods Saga novel, but I want the idea to mature before I put some serious work into it.
But first, I want to release Lifeliners and clear my mind and recharge the batteries for a couple of months before tackling another book project.
We shall see what develops.
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?
Author Websites and Profiles
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