2 Questions for Frank Creed

Interviewing Frank Creed, an "End Times Sci-Fi and Cyberpunk" author, novelist, speaker, and workshop presenter. Frank helped found The Lost Genre Guild and publishes "The Underground," an ezine covering the latest in Christian spec fic. His amazing testimony is at FrankCreed.com.

1. What are you reading?

I'm reading The Blue Enchantress, by my favorite living novelist M. L. Tyndall, and Jill Elizabeth Nelson's Witness to Murder.

2. What are you writing?

While a Calamity Kid short story titled "Whiskey in the Jar" languishes, I'm outlining Book Three of the Underground, working with clients at The Finishers.biz (my professional manuscript service) - AND moving from Indiana to Vancouver, Canada. Moving makes writing hard. I thank God for my laptop!

RA Note - Frank also shares: War of Attrition: Book Two of the Underground, sequel to the award-winning Amazon-best-selling Flashpoint has been pushed back to December 2009 ARGH! But "Join the Underground: The Role Playing Game" is available at online booksellers. I was a consultant to RPG designer Mike Roop for this project that's engineered on a highly-available six-sided dice system. Best of both worlds: an exciting cyberpunk sci-fi game without shopping for fancy dice!

2 Questions for Rachel Starr Thomson

Interviewing Rachel Starr Thomson, the author of the Seventh World Trilogy: Worlds Unseen, Burning Light, and The Advent (coming in 2010). She edits, coaches young writers, writes for Boundless.org and other publications, and generally breathes words for a living.

1. What are you reading?

Just finished Robin Parrish's sci-fi novel Offworld for the CSFF Blog Tour. I can tell you two things: 1. Everyone disappears. 2. Sci-fi is not really my genre, but interesting characters will suck me in every time. I'm also reading Frank L. Houghton's Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, the biography of a missionary woman who inspires me on several levels, including writing - she wrote beautifully and prolifically. Then there's A Short Guide to Writing About Literature by Barnet and Gilbert, and my ongoing study of the Bible - I'm hovering over several of Paul's epistles just now. Finally, when I find myself inhabiting a quiet, candlelit evening or a spot on an empty beach, I read a chapter or two of A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken.

2. What are you writing?

I've been working on articles here and there, covering topics from wild turkeys (to appear, tentatively, in HomeschoolingToday Magazine) to the writings of Amy Carmichael ("Fire-Words" to appear, non-tentatively, at Boundless.org). Most of my writing energy is going into The Advent, Book 3 of my fantasy Seventh World Trilogy.

RA: Thanks, Rachel! Sounds like you have a busy reading and writing schedule. Best wishes as you finish book 3. Readers can find out more at RachelStarrThomson.com, as well as her Inklings Blog.

2 Questions for Sue Dent

Interviewing Sue Dent, a writer of stories that appeal to general market horror/fantasy/fiction readers as well as those who favor narrowly targeted work put out by affiliated Christian publishers.

1. What are you reading?

The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies by Robert Kirk, also known as the "fairy" minister. It's research for the third installment in my vampire/werewolf Thirsting for Blood series. Robert Kirk was the seventh son of a seventh son and was therefore predispositioned to have second-sight. In his book Kirk details visits he had with others like him. It was probably written in the late 1600s but was first published in 1815 by Sir Walter Scott. Robert Kirk was a minister and the first to translate the Bible into Gaelic.

2. What are you writing?

I'm currently working on Cyn No More, the third installment of my Thirsting for Blood series. Vampires and werewolves and . . . fairies? In recent news concerning the series here in the US, both Never Ceese and Forever Richard were approved for distribution to the Christian market. (RA Note: For more on the trials and travails of bridging the ABA/CBA gap, visit Sue Dent's Official Blog Spot.)

RA: Thanks, Sue, for sharing what's in and out of the creative pipeline. Best wishes on book three! For more information about Sue and her projects, you can catch her on Facebook and at her publisher's website, The Writers' Cafe Press. Both books have their own sites as well: Never Ceese and Forever Richard.

2 Questions for Brandon Barr

Interviewing Brandon Barr, the co-author of the novel When the Sky Fell. His short stories have appeared in Residential Aliens, Haruah, Ray Gun Revival, Revelation Magazine, Digital Dragon, among others. His newest novel, Midnight over Midian, is a story of church persecution, and the struggles of a young girl caught in a radically changing American culture. The novel is due out in 2010.

1. What are you reading?

I'm currently reading three books: The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur, The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel, and The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov.

2. What are you writing?

I'm currently editing my novel Midnight over Midian, which should come out in 2010, published by Silver Leaf Books. It's a story of real church persecution in America through the eyes of a struggling teenage girl. I'm also working on chapter nine of the sequel to When the Sky Fell.

RA: Thanks, Brandon! Wish you and Mike well on the sequel, and best wishes in all your projects. For more information on what Brandon is up to, visit BrandonBarr.com.

2 Questions for Mike Lynch

Interviewing Mike Lynch, author of When the Sky Fell, a science fiction novel co-authored with Brandon Barr, both of whom I interviewed at ResAliens Zine. But I didn't ask them these questions.

1. What are you reading?

I just started reading Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I've talked with a number of people about this book, including Brandon, and they all say it is a must read.

2. What are you writing?

Brandon and I are currently writing a sequel to our novel When the Sky Fell.

RA: Now that was short and sweet. Thanks Mike! When I asked him what he's known for online, he replied: "I am known for offering a quick joke or humorous comment when I reply to someone's e-mail. You gotta a problem with that?" I don't! But for more on his upcoming projects, visit Mike Lynch Books.

2 Questions for Grace Bridges

Interviewing Grace Bridges, a Kiwi of Irish descent, a sci-fi author (Faith Awakened, 2007, and Legendary Space Pilgrims, coming soon), and the owner of Splashdown Books, an independent publisher of inspirational sci-fi and fantasy.

1. What are you reading?

Currently: The Battle for Vast Dominion by George Bryan Polivka, book three of the Trophy Chase trilogy. I really enjoy his writing style and depth of expression. In fact I even caught myself wishing he'd turn his hand to sci-fi, though I do realize that may be equally ineffective as telling yours truly to have a go at fantasy. But even if sci-fi runs hot in my veins, I do enjoy reading a good fantasy - and Bryan's Firefish stories are some of the best you can get.

2. What are you writing?

Good question. I'm knee deep in the first draft of Godspeed, which is the sequel to Faith Awakened, however I have to say that I'm not really working much on that at present. I have started up Splashdown Books as an independent publisher and I've got a lot of work to do if I want my first two titles to appear for Christmas. One is a new edition of Faith Awakened, and the other is a wonderful fantasy called
The Muse, from my first contracted author, Fred Warren. Then there are the final edits for Legendary Space Pilgrims, and a first draft called CyberDublin languishing in need of a secondary plotline. I'll get to that next year, Lord willing.

RA: Thanks, Grace for the updates. Readers might be interested to know that Grace is a chocoholic cat-lovin' Trekkie, Jesus freak, web designer, and all-round DIY gal who also takes care of the Lost Genre Guild blog. You can find her at GraceBridges.com and on Twitter: @gracebridges.

2 Questions for Andrea Graham

Interviewing Andrea Graham, who is the assistant editor of Laser & Sword Magazine and a freelance editor at POV Boot Camp. She also reviews books from a Christian worldview at Ask Andrea.

1. What are you reading?

Since I'm a reviewer, I read mainly ARCs sent to me by publishers. My reviewer site's main feature is an advice column, so I get a lot of books on Christian living and relationships. But I also just finished reading a middle reader novel and the next one I need to read is an adult speculative fiction title. Overall, in recent years I've read a lot of fantasy, and a little romance, fiction wise. And it shows.

2. What are you writing?

I'm currently in the beta reading stages of a romantic science fantasy about an ex-Christian vegan feminist stranded on an matriarchal alt-earth with a deposed queen and a men's libber in hiding from a knight who could crucify him if he's captured. Anyone who would like to be added to my list should contact me at any of my websites.

RA: Thanks, Andrea, for taking time to answer the 2 Q's :-) As part of your beta group I look forward to reading your latest! Best wishes in all your projects.

2 Questions for R. L. Copple

Interviewing R. L. Copple, a writer of fantasy and science fiction stories. Along with several short stories and flashes published online, he has two published books: Infinite Realities and Transforming Realities. He keeps us up to date at RLCopple.com.

1. What are you reading?

Two books: Seabird by Sherry Thompson and League of Superheroes by Stephen Rice. The first is fantasy and the second science fiction. I'm reading them mainly because they sounded like interesting books, and hoping I can do a review of them.

2. What are you writing?

I have the last book of the Reality Series out with beta readers tentatively titled, The Reality. Polishing a space opera called Mind Game I hope to sell, and doing a rewrite of the first science fiction novel I wrote that made me decide to start writing fiction titled Worlds Apart.

RA: Thanks, Rick, for giving us an update on your projects. And best wishes at FenCon next month in Dallas where I see you are a panel guest! If you want more of Copple's work, listen to Ray Gun Radio, a popular Space Opera Podcast he hosts and produces.

2 Questions for Stoney M. Setzer

Interviewing Stoney Setzer, a middle school special education teacher near Atlanta, GA. Stoney’s works have appeared in Dragons, Knights & Angels and ResAliens (most recently, "Square Peg") among other publications.

1. What are you reading?

I'm currently reading When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker. My genre interest runs more toward harder-to-classify, "Twilight Zone" type spec-fic that focuses on ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. To give you an idea, three of my all-time favorite books are The Oath by Frank Peretti, Thr3e by Ted Dekker, and The Twilight Zone: The Original Stories, an anthology containing some of the original short stories later adapted into episodes of the classic series ("To Serve Man," "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", etc.).

2. What are you writing?

As for current projects, I always have at least a couple of short stories going. I'm in talks with the editor of ResAliens [RA Note: That's me! :-) ] to publish an anthology of 15 of my stories. I have a novel I'm working on as well, but it's sort of slow going right now. I'm also starting a youth drama ministry in my church called "Stage Right."

RA: Thanks, Stoney! I'm excited about launching ResAliens Press with your anthology. Best wishes in all your projects.

2 Questions for Bonnie S. Calhoun

Interviewing Bonnie Calhoun. She is the Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA) and the Owner/Publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine (CFOM) and the latest contracted writer for Abingdon Press Fiction. She is also the Northeast Zone Director of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

1. What are you reading?

The last book I read a few weeks ago was Exposure by Brandilyn Collins. I read in the genre that I write because that's where my passion lies. Any action/adventure/suspense/mystery is up my alley. I love the heart-pounding effect! :-)

2. What are you writing?

Well I'm working on two projects. For Abingdon I'm writing the second book in the Madison PI series called Thicker Than Blood. And then another project is a suspense novel, as yet untitled, that will be sure to make your heart create irregular beats!

RA: Congratulations, Bonnie, on all your successes. And thank you for taking the time to share what's going on in your world. For more about what Bonnie is up to, visit her site.

2 Questions for Selena Thomason

Interviewing Selena Thomason, a freelance writer with more than thirty published stories, most of which are available through her website, Selena's Place. She is also the Managing Editor of MindFlights, a magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

1. What are you reading?

I am currently reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and re-reading The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells by Ben Bova.

2. What are you writing?

I am not writing much of anything right now except for writing practices. I am in search of my next story but haven't found it yet. I do have a story coming out soon in The Lorelei Signal, so I'm excited about that.

RA: Congratulations on your upcoming story and thanks for answering our questions. Best wishes in all your projects. Selena can also be found on Facebook and Shoutlife.

2 Questions for Rebecca LuElla Miller

Interviewing Becky Miller who is a Christian fantasy novelist, as well as a freelance writer and editor. Because of her work organizing the CSFF Blog Tour, some members have (fondly?) dubbed her "The CSFF Overlord."

1. What are you reading?

I’m reading When the Sky Fell by Mike Lynch & Brandon Barr (Silver Leaf Books) [RA Note: ResAliens interviews Mike & Brandon here], a science fiction novel that has me out of my comfort zone. (I’ll be back into fantasy as soon as Andrew Peterson’s North! Or Be Eaten arrives. ;-).

In non-fiction I’m reading The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias (Zondervan). And professionally I’m making my way through The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass (Writer’s Digest Books).

2. What are you writing?

I’m revising book three of The Lore of Efrathah quatrain. The working title is Escape from Moldark. I’m also working on a short story for a contest. It’s quite different than anything I’ve done so far, which makes it extra fun. I also am toying with a book of devotions and a non-fiction book I’m calling Women NOT in the Bible.

RA Note: Thanks, Becky, for being our first "2 Questions" interviewee. Readers can find out more about Rebecca LuElla Miller at her personal blog, A Christian Worldview of Fiction, and her editing blog, Rewrite, Reword, Rework as well as Facebook, Shout Life, and LinkedIn.