Richard R. Becker – The IAN Interview

Richard R. Becker

Richard R. Becker is an award-winning, best-selling American author. His debut collection of literary fiction and psychological thrillers began as a project to write one story a week for 50 weeks. It broke into the top 100 literary short story collections on Amazon for three consecutive months. It also won first place in the ABR Book Excellence Awards, Spring 2022 BookFest Awards, 2023 Book Excellence Awards, and was a finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards.

His debut novel Third Wheel was released in August 2023 to positive reviews and is on track to become an Amazon best seller. It was named a finalist in the Global Book Awards.  

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Richard R. Becker: Third Wheel is a powerful coming-of-age thriller about belonging, betrayal, and breaking away. It is the story of a boy trying to find his identity in the pre-boomtown hours of Las Vegas, 1982.

Brady Wilks, a 14-year-old transplant from the Midwest, forges a brotherly bond with an older teenage neighbor and inherits a friend group that accepts him more than his family at home. But everything begins to unravel when a small-time drug dealer joins the group and tempts them into making big money by selling cartel-supplied heroin.

Desolate and gritty, Third Wheel follows Brady as he navigates life, an improbable romantic interest, and a Mob connection in the dusty suburban outskirts of this infamous 24-hour desert town. Estranged from his family at home, Brady takes chances on random and fragile relationships until the stakes and consequences threaten the lives of those he cares about.

Third Wheel is a triumphant debut novel, and Brady Wilks is unforgettable as a transformative protagonist. Five-time award-winning author Richard R. Becker once again shares his unique insight into the human condition.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Third Wheel?

Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Apple  Walmart  

Google Play  Bookshop  Kobo

Everywhere books are sold

IAN: What inspired you to write Third Wheel?

Richard R. Becker: Third Wheel picked me more than I chose it. I was working on a short story collection as a follow-up to my debut collection, 50 States. The plan was to write 50 stories that followed up or intersected with those in 50 States.

When I wrote the short story Third Wheel, I immediately knew it needed to be my debut novel. I could see the second, third, and fourth chapters easily. So, I published my second short story collection as a 10-story Kindle exclusive and committed to writing my novel. Twenty-four weeks later, I had the draft in hand.

IAN: How much of the book is realistic?

Richard R. Becker: While Third Wheel is fiction, I gave Brady some of my childhood to serve as a framework. I’m sure this was one reason I was drawn into writing his story. We’re different in how we react to and handle circumstances, but we share many experiences.

This isn’t that unusual. Many writers use little bits of their lives in their work. I’m no exception. Some of the stories in 50 States are grounded in truth as well.

IAN: Do you have a specific writing style?

Richard R. Becker: My work is as eclectic as my reading. It fits best within the literary fiction spectrum but almost always with a genre-bending twist. For example, about half the stories in 50 States would be considered literary fiction while the balance would be considered psychological thrillers and speculative fiction, with paranormal undertones.

Third Wheel is a coming-of-age literary fiction, but with a crime thriller backbone. The stakes are considerably higher than most coming-of-age stories.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Third Wheel?

Richard R. Becker: I’ve always believed that we take out of books what we bring in with us. However, I did want Brady to come away with something. I wanted him to learn that it’s never too late to change direction.

No matter how hard life feels or how many bad things happen, it’s never too late until it is catastrophically too late. In the novel, the question is whether or not he can learn this lesson in time.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Richard R. Becker: Writing literature may be new for me, but writing as a career isn’t new. While I didn’t initially set out to be a writer, I’ve enjoyed a successful career as one. I’ve been an advertising copywriter, journalist, and creative strategist for more than three decades. The primary difference is that I’m now writing my own stories instead of everybody else’s.

I still work with a handful of select clients and don’t see this changing anytime soon. Maybe I’ll feel differently by a fifth, a sixth, or a tenth novel.

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Richard R. Becker: Writing is a job. It’s best to treat it as such. I would have never finished 50 States had I not set Mondays aside to start a short story and then commit to completing it by the following week. That’s how my first project began. It was a challenge to write 50 stories in 50 weeks.

I followed the same process for Third Wheel, writing one chapter a week for 24 weeks. By setting a deadline, I could remind myself that these projects were just as important as any other job deadline I might have to meet during the week. And then, after I finished the draft, I invested even more time in making it right — maybe eight months of revisions, reviews, editors, beta readers, and production.

IAN: If you had to choose, which writers would you consider mentors?

Richard R. Becker: There are too many to include, really. Generally, I credit Earnest Hemingway and John Updike for writing straight, honest prose about people. It doesn’t matter what genre you are writing in or how far afield your plot might be; we tune in to characters we care about, whether or not we like them.

Aside from those writers, I must mention Joyce Carol Oates, Walter Mosley, and David Mamet. I’ve taken online master classes from all of them, and they helped me take my work to the next level.

IAN: Are there any new authors that have caught your interest?

Richard R. Becker: More than a few. I’m especially fond of S.A. Cosby, Murakami Haruki, Jandy Nelson, Joe R. Lansdale, and Pierce Brown. They are all very different writers, yet they enjoy exploring the human condition as much as I do.

There are dozens of other writers I could name. My list of favorite books has swelled to about 100 different titles by almost as many authors. I’m looking forward to discovering and adding more. I’ve even opened up a small online store to help promote them.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Richard R. Becker: I’m currently writing a psychological thriller set in Maine. The story stands alone but exists within the 50 States universe as does most of my work.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Richard R. Becker: Yes, thank you very much. This journey has been incredible for me—from commercial to literary writing. I am so grateful that thousands of people gave my first book a chance, and now it seems thousands more will do the same for Third Wheel.

The support has been inspiring and even overwhelming at times. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Daniel Castlewrite - The IAN Interview

Daniel Castlewrite

I’ve enjoyed science-fiction and fantasy as far back as I can remember. I watched movies and played video games that became more enthralling as technology improved. Over time, I became inspired by the infinite possibilities. Despite this, I never imagined that someday I would be capable of creating a story that others would enjoy reading. My perspective on life was largely influenced by my service in the military, becoming a parent, and obtaining a degree in psychology. Those milestones broadened my outlook, shifted priorities, and raised complex questions - such as ‘What drives human behavior?’ I also sought out people with experiences and perspectives different from my own. Not to prove them wrong, but to expand my own understanding. It is this culmination of ideas and perspectives, that finally gave me the confidence to write a book. So, for better or worse, I can proudly say that the worlds and characters in my works are inspired not only by my own worldviews but also by those of the people who were kind enough to share their stories with me.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Daniel Castlewrite: Helix Mysteries: The First Change is inspired by the interplay between fantasy, mythology, and modern technology. It explores the idea of what could happen if the creatures that have only existed in myths and legends suddenly began manifesting in the 21^st century. Told from the perspective of the first human to evolve, the story touches on the fears, uncertainties, and frustrations of both those evolving and the ones closest to them. With an impending intergalactic invasion looming, Helix Mysteries also explores the societal and cultural impacts of a world that will never be the same. As science attempts to make sense of how everything fits, the truth about human history and even the origins of life are revealed… and they’re not what anyone would expect.

IAN: Is Helix Mysteries published in print, e-book or both?

Daniel Castlewrite: It is currently available in both print and e-book.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Helix Mysteries?

Daniel Castlewrite: Print and e-book are both available on Amazon. A print version can also be purchased from Barnes & Noble.

IAN: Did you use an outline or do you just wing the first draft?

Daniel Castlewrite: I definitely just wing it! This form of writing is unfortunately far more intensive when it comes to editing. However, it has spurred some of the most interesting concepts that I introduce throughout the book.

IAN: How long did it take to write Helix Mysteries?

Daniel Castlewrite: I began writing the story that eventually became HM: TFC in 2012. However, I did not commit to turning it into a book until around 2018. So, realistically, it took roughly four years.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Daniel Castlewrite: Since the story focuses on the mysteries locked away in human DNA, which is a double-helix – I thought Helix Mysteries would be an apt title for the series. “The First Change” clearly stemmed from the fact that most of the book is written from the perspective of the first human to evolve.

IAN: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Daniel Castlewrite: Absolutely! Many of the characters make jokes or refer to concepts relating to my service in the military. I have also included several “easter eggs” for people who know me, especially for my daughter.

IAN: How is Helix Mysteries different from others in your genre?

Daniel Castlewrite: Admittedly, I would not be considered an “avid reader.” However, based on feedback and reviews from fans of both science-fiction and fantasy, Helix Mysteries is unlike anything they have read. Thankfully, in a good way. One key difference, based on a reader’s comment, was that “The creation story and the purpose of humanity are really unique.”

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Daniel Castlewrite: Definitely! I love to write and create unique story arcs. If my book(s) could sustain my life and travel, it would be a dream come true!

IAN: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Helix Mysteries?

Daniel Castlewrite: No, I am quite happy with how it turned out.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing Helix Mysteries and what was it?

Daniel Castlewrite: Yes, it has given me a newfound appreciation and respect for editors and professional authors. As much as I love writing the story, establishing a flow which keeps the reader engaged throughout, is no easy task. I have had to rearrange numerous chapters, so that the story unfolds throughout the book. Rather than in spurts that would either leave the reader bored or overwhelmed.

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Daniel Castlewrite: Surround yourself with people who disagree with you and listen to their perspectives. Taking the time to genuinely understand perspectives that contrast your own ideas and beliefs enables you to create characters and engaging discussions. Plus, you never know what ideas will emerge.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Daniel Castlewrite: I am currently working on Helix Mysteries: The Second Suns. It is sequel to HM: The First Change. Tying off and expanding on the story arcs of several characters the second book sets up the new world with limitless opportunities for short stories – Helix Mysteries: The New World.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Daniel Castlewrite: Thank you!

Tim Doyle: The IAN Interview

Tim Doyle

Tim Doyle is an award-winning political illustrator/humorist. Tim's acute eye for detail and resolve to present images truthfully has been developed by working as a commercial photographer/film maker in a previous career. During this time, Tim received numerous awards both nationally and internationally. By turning his creativity to political satire, Tim has been able to distill the broad range of political misfortune into an accurate portrayal of wrongs within the system. Tim's plans are to keep making the public aware so that change can happen, if only we are actively involved. As the late U.S. Representative and activist John Lewis said, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, say something! Do something! Get in trouble! Good trouble! Necessary trouble!"

Tim’s academic past has included a diploma in photography from the Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, a BFA in drawing from Wayne State University, Detroit, and a post-graduate diploma from the London Film School, London, England.

Tim resides between London, England and the US.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Tim Doyle: Welcome to the Swamp: An Illustrated Journey into the Deplorable World of Donald J. Trump is a relentless, cringe-worthy, boldly illustrated look at the foibles of the Trump administration, certain to grasp your sense of reality and throttle it. From talking trash on the toilet to giving a thumbs-up to the Capitol insurgents, Trump has astounded his admirers and critics alike.

This fly-on-the-wall book of political indiscretions allows the viewer to witness, without the danger of an inflicted Twitter rampage, the most abhorrent acts of self-interest by Trump and his cronies. Although it represents a sad state of affairs, Welcome gleefully pokes fun at the Cheeto-in-Charge and his ensemble of misfits. It is a compelling read that will make you laugh and cry at the same time.

IAN: Is Welcome available in Print, eBook of both?

Tim Doyle: Print only.

IAN: What inspired you to write Welcome to the Swamp?

Tim Doyle: Current events and the need to voice my opinion on what I found offensive in the previous administration.

IAN: How long did it take to write Welcome to the Swamp?

Tim Doyle: I was able to complete the book from initial concept to finished printing and distribution in just over 9 months.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Tim Doyle: The concept of Swampy Don was inspired by a Stephen Colbert interview with Jon Stewart on June 25, 2020. During the interview, the conversation turned to Trump’s nicknames for everyone within his realm. Whether friend or foe, the monikers remained derogatory. Dragging Trump into his own game and bandying about possible names, Stewart announced, “He’s not draining the swamp! He is the swamp! He’s Donald Swamp. Ol’ Swampy Don. With eyes fixed to the camera, Stewart implored the audience to forever refer to Donald Trump by his new name. Thus, was born the character of “Swampy Don” who is listed as the author of Welcome to the Swamp. Once I had the concept of Swampy Don it was easy to form a title around his view of the swamp and Donald Trump.

IAN: How much of Welcome to the Swamp is realistic?     

Tim Doyle: 100%. The book is based on headlines and accompanying articles. Every headline/article is referenced with a date, name of publication and author/byline.

IAN: How is Welcome to the Swamp different from others in your genre?     

Tim Doyle: I don’t know if there are others that are similar in style. Most humor/satire is done in a conventional word-based approach. “Welcome” is primarily illustrations depicting the events of the day with accompanying headlines.

IAN: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Tim Doyle: Ralph Steadman and Gary Larson

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?  

Tim Doyle: Yes, definitely! I have found that creating an impact and possibly influencing peoples’ thought processes is stimulating and rewarding. As the late U.S. Representative and activist John Lewis said, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, say something! Do something! Get in trouble! Good trouble! Necessary trouble!"

IAN: Who designed the cover?

Tim Doyle: I designed both the cover (front and back) and the inside layout and illustrations.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing Welcome to the Swamp?   

Tim Doyle: Trying to keep up with current events. I had to know when to stop. There was so much political information to choose from it was difficult to pre-edit prior to illustrating.

IAN: Tell us about your next book. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Tim Doyle: 2021: A Year in Review: The Aftermath is a sequel to Welcome to the Swamp.

2021: A Year in Review: The Aftermath is a critical and irreverent retrospective of the political landscape of 2021. Although humorous in design, The Aftermath is a no-holds barred approach to stripping the skin off some of the most egregious offenses of the first year of the Biden administration. Witnessing Donald Trump's never-ending stranglehold on the Republican Party will have you gasping in disbelief and chuckling while trying to catch your breath. Whether you consider yourself Red or Blue, the illustrations and accompanying press articles will delight, enrage, elicit tears...and, hopefully, laughter as well. Enjoy the rollercoaster ride that was 2021.

Alberto Vezendi: The IAN Interview

Alberto Vezendi  

Of Hungarian origin, author and photographer Alberto Vezendi grew up in Spain, has lived in five countries and has visited more than forty. He holds a master's degree in conference interpretation, speaks five languages, and has spent more than two decades working for international organizations as a conference interpreter. In 2018, after twenty years of being somebody else’s voice, he decided to be his own and embarked on a new journey as a writer and photographer.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Alberto Vezendi: Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! is a memoir of my struggle with an eating disorder, anorexia, in my early twenties.

After twenty long years of keeping it secret, I’ve decided to share my personal experience as a young anorexic male in the hope that this will help readers avoid falling into a trap created by their own mind, and find their inner light without having to endure a long and painful rite of passage like the one I went through. That light within is called life, and it's the only light that can guide you to happiness – but it's a light that can only shine in the present, with no regrets about the past or anxiety about the future.

With this book, I seek to inspire readers to be themselves, take control of their lives, and live a purposeful existence, instead of living at the mercy of other people's wishes. However, none of that can ever be achieved until we learn to see our real self, and ultimately accept ourselves as we really are, and not as others expect us to be.

Finally, this book carries a message of hope for all: that a better life is possible, regardless of your situation, and that we already have everything we need to live it. It’s all inside our mind. I hope this book will help readers find their own way to live the life they desire and deserve.

IAN: Is Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! published in print, e-book or both?

Alberto Vezendi: Both. I would recommend the paperback version because Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! is full of illustrations by Alicia Varela, an exceptionally gifted artist.

IAN: Where can we go to buy Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen!?

Amazon.com  Kobo.com  Play.google.com

IAN: What inspired you to write Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen!?

Alberto Vezendi: From its very inception, the deeper meaning of Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! was to help people choose life over death in all circumstances — and to choose life not merely as the preservation of our biological existence, but to deliberately and positively choose to live fully every single second of our lives.

In less than one year, three people I knew well had put an end to their lives. And although each one of them had a different personality, lived in a different country, and had their own particular set of circumstances, they had nevertheless several things in common. They were all great people, intelligent, full of life, and none of them lacked any of the essentials for living a happy life. They had wonderful families, a good job, good health, and had all the freedom in the world to change their circumstances, instead of taking an irreversible step. And yet, that’s what they did.

Since people who seem to have everything in life choose to die, while other people who have nothing choose to survive against all odds and live, the purpose of life cannot reside in a person’s circumstances, possessions, or relations, but somewhere else. And that “somewhere else” can only be inside. The purpose of life, therefore, must be inherent in every human being.

Having had suicidal tendencies myself, I know that the choice is not always easy. But life is worth living; and having chosen life each time, I’ve never regretted my choice. On the contrary. Looking back, I would have missed so many wonderful days of sheer happiness, so many blissful hours, so many enriching experiences… in short, I would have missed all the beauty and magic of this magnificent thing that we call life.

IAN: What do you hope your readers come away with after reading Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen!?

Alberto Vezendi: We’re all here for a reason. Every single manifestation of life on earth has a deeper meaning which makes it worth living in spite of all adversity. But we have to find that meaning!

And that’s the very aim of Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen!: to help readers find their own purpose in life, which will, in turn, enable them to live a fuller, happier, and more meaningful existence.

Indeed, the reason which prompted me to write this book in the first place was a desire to share a lust for life that has always kept me going in spite of all hardship. But that lust did not come easy: I, too, had to find my purpose before I started to live fully.

For protracted periods of my life, I thought I was living in hell until I found happiness precisely at a time when all traces of happiness seemed to be absent from my existence. Just as heat can be drawn even from matter which is well below zero degrees, I found light in my inner darkness, a light that, although hidden under a bushel, had always been there to illuminate my life, but I had been too blind to notice it.

We are all living in heaven, but we fail to realize it because we look for happiness in the wrong places. We try desperately to find happiness without, but true happiness only exists within. The good news is that this happiness is inside each one of us, it is ours, and nobody in the world can take it away from us.

IAN: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Alberto Vezendi: Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! is a memoir of my own experience with anorexia, suicide and survival. However, in the book I take that very personal experience and expand it into something much wider, something readers can relate to.

IAN: What books have most influenced your life most?

Alberto Vezendi: Too many! So many that they would not fit in this interview, however, if I was forced to choose only a few — as I believe I am — I would pick The New Testament (especially Matthew's); Giacomo Casanova's Memoirs; Sándor Márai's Napló (which means: Diary. I don't think it's been translated into English); George Orwell's Nineteen-eighty-four; Michael Ende's Momo; John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath; Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching; and many, many more.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Alberto Vezendi: Yes.

IAN: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Alberto Vezendi: I probably would, but I don't want to... I could go on forever changing things in my books which would improve or ruin them. When it comes to writing a book, instead of seeking perfection in vain, I believe every writer has to come to a point when they say "That's it!". Then, as Ovid put it, books have their own destiny. I guess it's like giving birth to a child: once it's out there it's no longer yours. It comes from you — or through you, as Kahlil Gibran wrote — but it does not belong to you.

IAN: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Alberto Vezendi: Of all the wonderful flowers that adorn endless meadows, of all the stars that brighten the Universe, how could I choose only one? And yet, if I have to choose only one writer that I admire more than the rest, that's Sándor Márai. Márai is, and has always been, my main source of inspiration; not so much as to the subject matter of his books, but as a role model of a person who devoted his entire life to writing "because that was his mission", "because that was the measure of his worth". A person who stood firm by his principles at all times, in spite of never knowing real success, and in spite of his books being banned for 40 years in the only place where they could truly be understood — his own country.

IAN: What was the hardest part of writing Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen!?

Alberto Vezendi: The hardest part of writing Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! was having to face again the darkest years of my life, reviving ghosts from a past that, although I believed dead and gone for good, were still alive in the deepest layer of my mind, out of my conscious reach. I had to pull them out and confront them one by one. That's when I came to realize that they would never go, that they are part of me, that I am one with them.

IAN: Did you learn anything from writing Awake, Arise, or be Forever Fallen! and what was it?

Alberto Vezendi: I realized that overcoming trauma is not a finite event that ends with the complete healing of the body and the mind — which for most of us will never happen —, but a never-ending process that we must endure. Healing is no longer the goal. It's like amputated limbs that still hurt, scars that still itch, and will never stop hurting and itching — and we should never shun our scars because they act as a permanent reminder of the hardship we endured, and the process itself makes us stronger day by day.

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Alberto Vezendi: Yes: write! Sounds obvious, I know, but how much time are you actually devoting to writing books? Not promoting, not editing, not posting on social media, not telling people about your books, not signing books... but writing. And I don't pretend to lecture anyone but myself, because I recently came to realize that after I published my second book I've been spending more time doing all those "other things" than writing. Now I'm going back to what I love: writing, and it feels great!

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Alberto Vezendi: Yes, just a few days ago I wrote the dedication of my last book. It goes like this:

"Dear reader, I am deeply indebted to you for the silent support and motivation you have given me while I was writing this book. During the long, lonesome hours that I spent turning my thoughts into words, you were always there, by my side, eagerly listening to me, and it is you I have been talking to all along. Only you could make this book happen. And you did."

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Alberto Vezendi: I'm currently busy with two books. One is already finished, I'm going through the last readings to delete any superfluous text and then I'll send it to a professional editor. It's a self-help book in the style of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, i.e.: thoughts on how our mind interprets reality and how we can influence that interpretation to shape our fate. In essence, it's about learning to be at the helm of our life's ship, instead of living at the mercy of people and events, drifting purposelessly until we're washed upon the last shore, from where there's no way back.

The other book is a dystopic novel set in the (near) future. It deals with all my social and personal obsessions: dehumanization, tyranny, social control, communism, freedom at large (of thought, belief, speech...). It's about the need to teach people, especially children, to think freely, to analyze what they're told, to question authority, instead of swallowing like a sinkhole all the information they — we — are bombarded with relentlessly every day.

Keith Brandon: The IAN Interview

Keith Brandon

I was born in Hungary. After finishing my schools, I set my foot abroad, started in Copenhagen, then worked on cruise ships for a few years, then finally settled in UK, where I have finished my first books.

My time in hospitality, I guess thought me a lot about people, met loads of them on my cruise ship years, valuable experiences all and I guess these young years is where I got my sense of humor.

IAN: Please tell us about your latest book.

Keith Brandon: My latest book is Lost Universe, a unique look at the aliens and the galaxy and us humans. We find out that we have a role in reshaping the universe in ways we did not imagine. Dealing with the aliens for real, who may not be as evil and invading as we thought for long time. Then we get answers of why they visited us so much and what part is our race playing to change things that are irreversible for the entire galaxy. A hard-core sci-fi.

IAN: Is Lost Universe published in print, e-book or both?

Keith Brandon: It is published in Print and eBook and soon in audible too.

IAN: Where can we go to buy your book?

Keith Brandon: On Amazon.  

IAN: What inspired you to write Lost Universe

Keith Brandon: I always wanted to tell my stories since I was a little kid. First, I was addicted to Star Wars, then comic books, X-Men was the favourite. It was unique for me as it was just about fighting. It was deeper in character profiles.

IAN: How did you come up with the title?

Keith Brandon: It was not called Lost Universe at first. As I was telling my dad about the story, he just came up with it.

IAN: How much of Lost Universe is realistic?

Keith Brandon: In a sense it is. As it deals with real life issues as well, just in galactic proportions. How will us humans fit in with so many aliens? How will they react to us? Will we be in galactic battles, just as we seen it in movies back on Earth? Will they share with us their knowledge and tech wisdom?

IAN: How is Lost Universe different from others in your genre?

Keith Brandon: It is different in many ways, as usual, alien/UFO stories are always about invading Earth, kidnapping people, and I thought, wait a minute, how about if turn this around for once? How about if the aliens actually want something from us, that is worthwhile.

IAN: What books have influenced your life the most?

Keith Brandon: The Sword of Truth from Terry Goodkind and Asimov’s Foundation.

IAN: What book are you reading now?

Keith Brandon: One from T. Goodkind. Called Witch’s Oath. This is book number 21 in the series, hard to put it down. I guess it beats other famous authors in the genre.

IAN: Are there any new authors that have caught your interest?

Keith Brandon: I’ve tried a few but didn’t stay with any for long. I am always looking out for new ones.

IAN: Do you see writing as a career?

Keith Brandon: Yes, totally.

IAN: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

Keith Brandon: Shortly after I saw Star Wars-A New Hope.

IAN: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Keith Brandon: Yes, keep writing, read more and don’t give up. Is not an easy thing nowadays to get out there with your work and get known. Persisting is the key. If I could do it so can you.

IAN: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Keith Brandon: I hope you will like the story as much I enjoyed writing it, and hope you will be well entertained and have a different mind about aliens after reading it.

IAN: Tell us about your next book or a work in progress. Is it a sequel or a stand-alone?

Keith Brandon: It is the sequel to Lost Universe, going to be a lot of battles, pursuing philosophical questions, unexpected, turns...nonstop action.