Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of the Tree of Life trilogy of epic fantasy books and the historical fantasy novel, This Sacred Isle. I live in Suffolk, England with my wife, daughter and cat.
Aside from writing, I enjoy reading a wide range of books, watching films, visiting museums and art galleries, and spending time with family and friends. I also a long-suffering supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club…
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last novel was ‘This Sacred Isle’, which is set in 6th century Britain, a period commonly referred to as the ‘Dark Ages’. This period has long fascinated me, a period when kingdoms and regional identities started to coalesce, with the very foundations of the nations of Britain taking shape. At this time, Britain was largely a wild land, rich in myth and ruled by warrior-kings, and a land where the people faced perils that many parts of today’s world still endure: war, disease and famine. In some ways, this is a post-apocalyptic world, with scattered groups of individuals struggling to establish order within the bones of Roman Britannia. In addition, the plight of the Britons intrigued me; how would they feel, often supplanted by the aggressive newcomers from across the sea, the last remnants of the civilisation of Roman Britannia crumbling?
The Anglo-Saxon cosmology and mythology feels fantastical, but it is one of the core principles of my story that it would feel real to the people, they would make no distinction between what might be called ‘supernatural’ and real life – presenting this was a challenge! I also wanted to capture a hint of the linguistic skill of the Anglo-Saxon people. Anglo-Saxon kennings intrigued me and I sprinkled these throughout the story to add a flavour of their rich, poetic forms of expression.
The more I thought about it, the more I felt that this period, this setting, offered strong potential for a novel. It was a story I wanted to tell, even one I needed to tell.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As well as writing books, I also have a full-time job, so I tend to spend my lunch-breaks in the local library researching or jotting down story ideas.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This could be a very long list indeed! I’ll try to keep it to just five authors:
Richard Adams
J.R.R. Tolkien
George Orwell
Mervyn Peake
Pat Barker
What are you working on now?
I am working on my next novel, Second Sun. Second Sun is a dystopian SF novel. Second Sun is set in a present day but alternate Earth roughly thirty years (the timescale is important, for reasons I won’t reveal here) after a successful alien invasion by a race called the Eternals, an invasion that was welcomed and supported by much of humanity. Despite their conquest, which has become known as the Redemption, the Eternals largely allow humans to continue their lives as they see fit, although the conquerors proudly claim to have reduced the threat of war, especially nuclear conflict, in an effort to herald in a new era of peace. The Eternals work through the human proxies and encouraged a society which places the highest value on personal enrichment and self-actualisation. For many, it is a utopia, but there are whispered rumours of discontent, rumours that challenge the Eternals’ claim of benevolence…
The main character of the story finds himself, unwittingly at first, drawn into the schemes of the Union, a revolutionary movement sworn to overthrow the rule of the Eternals. As the story develops, and he is drawn into ever greater danger, he slowly begins to discover the true nature of the Eternals’ rule, and of the depths of human cruelty.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find twitter is a great way to reach out to readers and other authors. Indie authors are very supportive and encouraging, and are always willing to share advice.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
When it comes to writing novels – the subject matter really has to grip you, the author. If you want to write a novel you have to be prepared for the long haul, not just writing but research, and that journey will be much more rewarding if you are writing about a subject that fascinates and excites you. Therefore, when setting out on your writing journey, make sure it is a book you not only want to write, but feel you have to write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I like Stephen King’s advice: ”If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”
What are you reading now?
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my next novel, Second Sun. I’m working on the fourth draft now, with a provisional publication date of November 2019.
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 Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien
Gormenghast – Mervyn Peake
1984 – George Orwell
Regeneration – Pat Barker
Author Websites and Profiles
Steven Smith Website
Steven Smith Amazon Profile
Steven Smith Author Profile on Smashwords
Steven Smith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account