Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing science fiction from the age of sixteen, mostly for my own pleasure, although in my early years I had a number of short stories published in Science Fiction magazines. For a brief time, I was also editor of a Science Fiction fanzine. And I also wrote comic books and completed a couple of other novels, although nothing that I was satisfied enough until now, to put before a public audience.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Time Dancer is my first published novel. I’ve always loved time travel novels and I wanted to look at what would happen to a young girl if she had the ability to dance forward through time. The book effectively tells two stories. One in which the consequences of her constant leaps forward are examined. And another where the events of a particular day unfold. When my heroine has to face her demons and fight off a group of monsters in the woods in order to save her friends.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure it’s unusual, but I like to do a quick first draft to block out the plot and make sure its consistent, before writing the book in detail, allowing it to flow and working on characterisation.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lots of sci-fi. The classic authors. Heinlein, Asimov, Philip K Dick. Frank Herbert’s Dune is my all-time favourite sci-fi book. But I also like more recent speculative fiction by people like Clare North, as well as YA sci-fi novels like the Hunger Games and Mrs Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Anything really that’s weird and thought-provoking.
What are you working on now?
I’m already working on the sequel to The Time Dancer. I’m about a third of the way through the first draft. I hope to have it out sometime next year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotion is relatively new to me so I’m trying all sorts of ways to promote my book. I’m particularly active on Twitter, where I’m slowly building up a following.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep working on your craft. Believe in yourself. And never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write like you’re a reader.
What are you reading now?
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
What’s next for you as a writer?
Dividing my time between writing my next novel, promoting my current book and being a parent.
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?
Dune, the Foundation trilogy, all the Harry Potter books.
Author Websites and Profiles
Stevie McBride Amazon Profile
Stevie McBride’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account