Ask the Author: Rob Dircks
Answered Questions (18)
Rob Dircks
Your lips to God’s ears, Joe!! Have a terrific 2021 dude!
Rob Dircks
Hi Lisa,
Thanks again for the awesome feedback. Send me an email from this page (https://robdircks.com/contact-me/) and I can email you the code and the link to redeem it. Enjoy!
- Rob
Thanks again for the awesome feedback. Send me an email from this page (https://robdircks.com/contact-me/) and I can email you the code and the link to redeem it. Enjoy!
- Rob
Rob Dircks
Hi Lisa,
First, I'm psyched that you've enjoyed my books! You rock! I do continue to write, and am, in fact, working on a novel for Audible Studios -- it's just taking a fair bit longer than anticipated. (Okay, a LOT longer.) In the meantime, if you want to check out my collection of short stories, I can give you an Audible code or Amazon code depending on which format you'd like. And those stories also continue on my podcast, Listen To The Signal, over at https://listentothesignal.com.
Let me know about the code, and enjoy! -- Rob
First, I'm psyched that you've enjoyed my books! You rock! I do continue to write, and am, in fact, working on a novel for Audible Studios -- it's just taking a fair bit longer than anticipated. (Okay, a LOT longer.) In the meantime, if you want to check out my collection of short stories, I can give you an Audible code or Amazon code depending on which format you'd like. And those stories also continue on my podcast, Listen To The Signal, over at https://listentothesignal.com.
Let me know about the code, and enjoy! -- Rob
Rob Dircks
Hi Ida! Right now I'm (admittedly quite slooowwly) working on a new novel/audiobook for Audible that should be out sometime next year. In the meantime, I'm continuing to write shorts (have you checked out my podcast Listen To The Signal? (listentothesignal.com)). I've also got another short story, "The Other Ted," coming out soon in the Unidentified Funny Objects #8 anthology (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...). It was a really fun project I got to co-write with Wendy Mass, NYT bestselling author of The Candymakers.
Rob Dircks
Hey Petr, I'll take that comparison! Dennis Taylor is a great writer, and I did read We Are Bob, it was a ton of fun, and I can see the similarities (first person, disembodied consciousness, problem-solving, snarky personality). Keep listening and I'll keep writing! -- Rob
Rob Dircks
Hi Rebecca! That's a tricky one. I looooovvvved the book, so that's a super high bar for the TV show to meet. For me, the show was a different story, much more focused on Aziraphale and Crowley, and Michael Sheen and David Tennant did a bang-up job of it. So I'd say about two episodes in, I stopped comparing it to the book and just started enjoying the heck out of it.
(My favorite books-to-film series? Harry Potter)
(My favorite books-to-film series? Harry Potter)
Rob Dircks
Hey Joanne! Okay, last month I read two goodies:
• City of Thieves by David Benioff. OMG it instantly became one of my top ten favorite novels for lots of reasons. Here's my review: (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
• Lathe of Heaven. An old sci-fi classic, I loved the movie as a kid, and finally said, "why haven't I read this?". It's great. Here's my review: (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
I just bailed on Kite Runner not because it wasn't good (it's amazing!), but it's not the right time for that story for me. I'll get back to that one for sure.
If you like Terry Pratchett, I just finished Night Watch, somewhere in the middle of the Discworld series. I think I'm a little too out-of-the-loop on that series, so it was just okay for me, but the writing, oh lord, Pratchett can write!
I'm also listening to The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman (non-fiction), and it's excellent. It's a good anti-self-help book!
Otherwise, if you haven't read these, here are some of my favs off the top of my head, in no particular order:
• Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (This one is in order. My favorite novel.)
• Galapagos, Slaughterhouse Five also by him
• 1984 (holy cow, tied for my favorite of all time)
• This Perfect Day by Ira Levin (Another tie for top fav, wow can you have a three-way tie?)
• Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaiman
• Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway
• John Dies at the End by David Wong
• The Wool series by Hugh Howey
God, I could go on forever. Am I hitting the mark at all with these?
Happy reading! -- Rob
• City of Thieves by David Benioff. OMG it instantly became one of my top ten favorite novels for lots of reasons. Here's my review: (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
• Lathe of Heaven. An old sci-fi classic, I loved the movie as a kid, and finally said, "why haven't I read this?". It's great. Here's my review: (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
I just bailed on Kite Runner not because it wasn't good (it's amazing!), but it's not the right time for that story for me. I'll get back to that one for sure.
If you like Terry Pratchett, I just finished Night Watch, somewhere in the middle of the Discworld series. I think I'm a little too out-of-the-loop on that series, so it was just okay for me, but the writing, oh lord, Pratchett can write!
I'm also listening to The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman (non-fiction), and it's excellent. It's a good anti-self-help book!
Otherwise, if you haven't read these, here are some of my favs off the top of my head, in no particular order:
• Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (This one is in order. My favorite novel.)
• Galapagos, Slaughterhouse Five also by him
• 1984 (holy cow, tied for my favorite of all time)
• This Perfect Day by Ira Levin (Another tie for top fav, wow can you have a three-way tie?)
• Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaiman
• Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway
• John Dies at the End by David Wong
• The Wool series by Hugh Howey
God, I could go on forever. Am I hitting the mark at all with these?
Happy reading! -- Rob
Rob Dircks
Hi Kathryn! Glad you enjoyed the book. The podcast is available at listentothesignal.com or on iTunes. However, I've taken down the original stories to collect them into that first volume, and will be publishing new stories to the podcast as I write them.
If you're interested in listening to the stories you've read, I would be psyched to share a free Audible code. Let me know if you're interested.
Thanks!
-- Rob
If you're interested in listening to the stories you've read, I would be psyched to share a free Audible code. Let me know if you're interested.
Thanks!
-- Rob
Rob Dircks
Hi Joanne! I'm psyched you loved The Wrong Unit. Man, that story is near and dear (although I guess they all are my babies!). It was written as a standalone (vs. Tesla which was always meant to be a serial), so I don't think there'll be a sequel, but I'm a big believer in never-say-never! (And now you've got me thinking... what DOES happen to the humans?) Have a happy new year Joanne!
Rob Dircks
Hi DMVpapp - glad you like the stories, and you bet your a** I'm going to keep writing! I've actually got three things in the hopper at the moment: a Mars mission sci-fi comedy for Audible Originals, the beginning of a novel with a working title of Shut Up And Run!, and ideas for the third Tesla book, where Chip explores being a (gulp) dad! I can't even imagine what kind of havoc little Gigi could wreak inside the ITA.
Rob Dircks
Hi Aneil - thanks for your message. It was a pleasure to connect with you!
Rob Dircks
From your lips to God’s ears, Bruce! :) I’ve gotten lots of reader feedback like yours about Where the Hell is Tesla?, and one introduction to a producer about it, and in some parallel dimension it’s a wildly successful movie, but it’s not quite there in this dimension. (In the meantime, you can listen to the sequel, Don’t Touch the Blue Stuff! I’d be happy to share a free Audible code if you’re interested. Let me know.)
Rob Dircks
Hey Zac! Oh God, no pressure on the accent thing! I actually feel like Tesla's accent is the same as last time, or hopefully close (I know, not totally authentic, but for me it's "him"). I think an interesting thing for you notice this time are the MANY other accents I performed, from lots of different nationalities around the world. It was a blast trying to nail them all -- and I'd love to get a grade from you after you listen.
About the prolific thing: I belong to SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America), and you wouldn't believe how many books some of these authors crank out -- like eight a year! I'm a turtle compared to these folks, writing one a year.
About the prolific thing: I belong to SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America), and you wouldn't believe how many books some of these authors crank out -- like eight a year! I'm a turtle compared to these folks, writing one a year.
Rob Dircks
Hey Penny! You're welcome! (Btw, you'll have to read Where the Hell is Tesla? to find out where he is. ;) )
Rob Dircks
Hi Zac! No, I've never heard of him. But your timing is perfect – I'm recording the sequel to Where the Hell is Tesla? this week, and I'm watching Rade's portrayal of Tesla right now! It'll definitely help me keep the voice (a bit) more authentic. (Btw, I watched a couple of other videos of him, too, he seems like quite the extraordinary guy.) Thanks, dude!
Rob Dircks
Hi Sarah - the code is on its way from Audible. Enjoy!
Rob Dircks
Hi Friday!
Good question. The Audible edition of Where the Hell is Tesla? is the complete compilation of Parts I, II, and III that were originally written and published as a trilogy of short stories/novellas. (That's why you might see Part I or Part II on Goodreads or Amazon.) I've begun to think about a sequel, as the novel and audiobook have gotten a much better response than I expected, but it's just an idea at this point. If I pursue it, it'll be after my next book, Shut Up and Run!, which I'm trying to publish by the fall.
Thanks for asking!
Good question. The Audible edition of Where the Hell is Tesla? is the complete compilation of Parts I, II, and III that were originally written and published as a trilogy of short stories/novellas. (That's why you might see Part I or Part II on Goodreads or Amazon.) I've begun to think about a sequel, as the novel and audiobook have gotten a much better response than I expected, but it's just an idea at this point. If I pursue it, it'll be after my next book, Shut Up and Run!, which I'm trying to publish by the fall.
Thanks for asking!
Rob Dircks
I've always been fascinated by Nikola Tesla, and the strange mystique surrounding his life and work, and in particular an article I read about his "secret journals" that the FBI allegedly took after he died. And I've always loved sci-fi. And I knew at some point I wanted to write a comedy about a normal guy stuck in extreme circumstances.
So at some random point (probably at around 6am, in that weird half-sleep creative time before I realize I have to get the hell out of bed), they all came together, and I said "What if some slacker security guard discovers the lost journal of Nikola Tesla?" And boom. There is was -- Where the Hell is Tesla?
So at some random point (probably at around 6am, in that weird half-sleep creative time before I realize I have to get the hell out of bed), they all came together, and I said "What if some slacker security guard discovers the lost journal of Nikola Tesla?" And boom. There is was -- Where the Hell is Tesla?
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