Christian Author Talks Sci-Fi
An Interview With Christian Science Fiction Author James Somers
Aug 24, 2007
Science fiction and fantasy literature has been increasingly popular since J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis captured imaginations with their respective sagas.
And now comes James Somers, a rather eclectic player in the field. He is a surgical technologist and pastor. And a family man. That would keep most people busy enough. Somers, however, is also an author. Not just any kind of author. He's a science-fiction and fantasy author, taking his readers on incredible journeys through extraordinary worlds he creates at home on his word processor.
The Suite101 Protestantism Feature Writer got a chance to talk with Christian sci-fi and fantasy author James Somers. Here is the interview:
BT: How does it feel to be a published novelist?
JS: I've enjoyed the experience very much. It is a wonderful feeling to have a publisher review your work and accept it--to be willing to put their name on it and back it in the marketplace.
BT: How long did you want to be an author?
JS: I did not want to be an author until I had finished my first novel, The Chronicles of Soone: Heir to the King.
BT: What challenges do you think Christian authors face in today's publishing world?
JS: Well, there are fewer choices for getting your work published and the market for your work is much smaller as well. Add to that, being a novelist of Christian fantasy fiction and you see where we're going.... I think also that it is difficult for an author to write as a Christian, to find new things without compromising your faith and your ideals.
BT: Did you have a good experience in working with your first publisher?
JS: I'm very grateful to Breakneck Books for publishing my first novel, but there have been drawbacks with being published by a small independent publisher. There were editing problems in the beginning which may have been fixed for later books, but mine is already out there. Also, there has been little marketing and no distribution into bookstores with their size and resources...but I knew all of that going in, so I'm not trying to complain, but it does make it difficult to reach people with my work.
BT: How popular is Christian fantasy and science fiction?
JS: I think is may be gaining in popularity. My friend, Wayne Thomas Batson, and three other Christian fantasy authors just did a book tour, The Fantasy Four, and by the end of the tour, Wayne was asked to appear on Fox & Friends regarding Christian Fantasy. As we see Harry Potter going bye-bye, at least for new books, we may see more of an interest. People, including Christians, will be looking to fill their appetites for the genre I think.
BT: Where do you get your story ideas?
JS: I wish I knew. They just come to me when I start to ponder an idea. Chronicles began as just a creative writing project to take my mind off of the endless coursework I had in college. My latest young adult fantasy, A World Within, came about when I was invited to submit a short story to an upcoming fantasy anthology. I knew I couldn't write anything about wizards or spellcasting as a Christian and feel right about it. So, I tried to figure out a way to get around all of that and the idea came to me...praise the Lord is all I can say. It may be my best novel yet.
BT: Tell us a little about The Chronicles of Soone.
JS: The Chronicles of Soone is very much inspired by Star Wars. I've always been a fan of the series since I was a kid. It started as a creative writing project with jedi characters...just for fun. But as I wrote more and more, I began to care about the characters and decided to scrap the jedi idea for my own original storyline. COS begins with a race of warriors, the Barudii (Bare-RU-die), being wiped out by invading humans from another clan. Tiet Soone is the young child of the king who is rescued and kept safe until he is a young man. He longs to free the people of planet Castai, who are now enslaved by the Vorn (dark skinned humans). The Barudii had been the protectors of the other clans until their demise. As Tiet enters into the situation he progressively finds that not everything is as it seems. Some he thinks are enemies are not enemies at all and the villian behind the entire clan war is not even human, but angelic...sound familiar? One thing people immediately notice is that my writing style is intensely action packed. I just can't help it.
BT: What's the timeline on the series' next installment?
JS: I'm not quite sure yet. The second book: Rise of Lucin, was scheduled to appear this November from Breakneck Books, but I withdrew the book because my friend, author: Wayne Thomas Batson of The Door Within series and Isle of Swords, had reviewed Chronicles and recommened me to his agent, Gregg Wooding. Mr. Wooding read Rise of Lucin and signed with me to represent the book. He has since been able to pitch it to several large Christian publishers who are currently considering whether or not to publish it. So, things are looking better to maybe see the series out in the bookstores where it needs to be...Lord willing!
BT: How many other irons do you have in the fire, so to speak?
JS: Well, in addition to writing, I'm a surgical technologist and the new pastor of in Harriman, Tn. And in addition to my Chronicles of Soone series, I have first books written for: A World Within (a young adult fantasy) and Perditions Gate (a futuristic end times thriller set in 2094). I'm currently revising COS: Heir to the King in hopes of seeing it published with one of these Christian publisher along with Rise of Lucin and the third unwritten book. And I'm outlining the first book for my next series: Realm Shift.
You can read more about James Somers and his work at his author blogsite.
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