Space Time Magazine Interview Author Scott Azmus
IDENTIFICATION OF HUMANOID: Scott Azmus
I’ve had several different jobs over the years. Navy officer. Field geologist. Bookstore owner.
Advanced-placement physics teacher. Fortunately, writing has taken me away from all that, and I’m now also able to find time to train Alaskan Malamutes, tend my honeybee sanctuary, and enjoy public-outreach astronomy.
[image error]Scott Azmus Author Picture
I went to the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Oregon State University, Corvallis. My wife, Dora, and I live in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and just celebrated our 37th anniversary.
We have three grown children; Lindsay, Natalie, and Erick.
SEARCH: ENQUIRY: AUTHOR INTERROGATION
ALEXA WAYNE (AW): When did you find out you would want to write novels?
SCOTT AZMUS: Way back when I shared my first science fiction stories as a series of lively talks with high-school friends. This happened the pre-Star Wars. Video games and the internet didn’t exist, yes, I’m a fossil!
So we had to find some way of staying busy and out of trouble! While out to sea as a Navy officer, I often filled great watches with elaborate stories about the “Time Travel Forces.”
[image error]Home Before Dark by Scott Azmus
I sold my first story, The Catafalque, to Charlie Ryan at Aboriginal Science Fiction in 1999. Other stories sold to Space & Time, Galaxy, Little Green Men, and Writers of the Future. Soon after, I was eager for larger narratives with civilizations on collision courses and humanity’s fate in the balance.
It was time to figure out how to string together a novel. Also, yet, I ended up deleting and shredding many of those early “works” as I developed my writer’s so-called voice. Some manuscripts became piles of scratch paper, and I cringe when catching glimpses of them!
AW: You mentioned your work, all set in science-fiction or cyborg settings, would you let our readers know why you are attracted to that genre?
SCOTT AZMUS: I love the heart of science fiction, and, for me, that’s cutting-edge astronomy and physics. I enjoy asking “what if” questions and exploring big ideas to their limits. Mix those ideas with conflict, intense character transformation, and what a rush!
Why such dedication to science? I watched the first Moon landing and idolized the Gemini and Apollo astronauts. When Michael Collins, Apollo 11, wrote Carrying the Fire, I read the paperback until it fell apart in my hands.
[image error]Broken Bells by Scott Azmus
NASA was a pretty smooth operation at the time, like SpaceX is today! So I set my sights on becoming an astronaut. While I haven’t yet visited the Moon, I wound up with a stable Navy career and a degree in planetary geology.
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I have my observatory where I enjoy observing the heavens with an 18-inch Obsession and a superb Takahashi refractor.
AW: When writing about sci-fi, do you do research and if so, how far do you go with your research?
SCOTT AZMUS: My stories involve mixing wildly different concepts, so the research is always a moving target. Even when I carefully plot a scene, I rarely know what’s coming next until the words spill out on the screen. Which is part of the thrill!
I’ll usually outline how the story needs to start but then write with the usual hero’s journey story arc guiding my way. Once a project gains momentum, notes the process slowly.
When a topic of “flash” interest pops up, I then research on the fly. The trouble is, it’s often all too easy to rush down a “rabbit hole” and spend all day enjoying the learning process!
AW: What is most important to you when writing your novels?
SCOTT AZMUS: Most important? Character development. That, and scientific accuracy. I spend many time people watching and mentally auditioning people for potential roles.
My characters often endure stressful ordeals, while having to square their lives with the idea that there may be an underlying, quantum subtext
to reality.
I’m keen on using the right words. I try to boost my writing skills every day. While someone might view many of my adventures as escapism, I like to think I might be sharing a current reality with someone else across time and distance.
Readers satisfaction is also a significant factor in what I do. Value. Enjoyment. Touches of camouflaged science-enrichment. Also, I’m pleased that my writing level continues to improve!
AW: Which authors influenced your writing in science-fiction?
SCOTT AZMUS: I was twelve when one of my aunts gave me copies of Time for the Stars, by Robert A. Heinlein, and Ringworld, by Larry Niven. I’m sure they massively influenced me because I later read everything they wrote.
I then followed with Asimov, Bradbury, Card, Clarke, Le Guin, Silverberg, Sturgeon, Vonnegut, Zelazny too many to name! Also, I have to credit Star Trek’s many scriptwriters, along the way!
After two big sales to Writers of the Future, I enjoyed getting to know Dave Wolverton, Frederik Pohl, and Tim Powers. Algis Budrys, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, and Kevin J. Anderson also took the time to meet and greet.
[image error]CROSS The Sky – A Sapphire Sky Novel by Scott Azmus
Oh, and I was once lucky enough to spend time with, on separate convention panels, C.J. Cherryh and Octavia Butler! Everyone’s always been so great and professional about helping new writers!
If you have room for this, my top ten all-time, most influential science-fiction reads…
Neal Stephenson’s Anathem.
Frank Herbert’s Dune.
C.J. Cherryh’s Wave Without a Shore.
Vernor Vinge’s A Deepness in the Sky.
Sheri S. Tepper’s The Gate to Women’s Country.
Ursula LeGuin’s The Dispossessed.
Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer.
Dan Simmons’ Hyperion.
Robert Silverberg’s A Time of Changes.
AW: Which of your novels is your favorite and why is it your favorite?
SCOTT AZMUS: Cross the Sky is my favorite because my kids named each character. It’s also my only novel thus far that somewhat sways into the “heist” genre instead in the style of Dewey Gram’s Ocean’s 11. The central character does not see force fields or sealed starship hatches as obstacles, but as invitations.
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After years of living on a knife’s edge between indentured servitude and starvation, she sets her sights on the wealthiest treasure ship ever lost to the rifts.
Unfortunately, Aquila’s cargo also includes a dangerous virus. A virus is so potent that alien retribution for its mere existence, never mind its release! Could be an extinction-level event for humanity.
Facing alien intrigue and myriad adversaries, a crew of eight daring young women flies into the future aboard Sapphire Sky. Also, wouldn’t it be GREAT if some of your readers wanted to travel along with them?
Also, the book wound up with one of my favorite covers!
AW: Do you believe in alien visiting our world, by that I mean in abduction or close encounters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th kind?
SCOTT AZMUS: What a fun question! You might not be aware of it, but the Pentagon once schooled its Navy officers in all seven Hynek levels. However, have aliens been visiting us?
Have there been UFO sightings? Yes, people have been seeing weird and captivating things in the sky for millennia. This is even true of pilots, astronomers, and astronauts. I’d love, love, love to see a UFO!
Physical effects noted? Maybe, but mostly in our anthropological past. For example, how did the Dogon people of Mali know about Sirius’ white dwarf companion, Sirius B, well before its first telescopic observation?
[image error]Rituals of Sacrifice – A River of Light Novel by Scott Azmus
Yes, I know of many arguments against extraterrestrial influences, but the Earth’s been here for 4.6 Billion years. Many stars are supporting “Goldilocks” zones where water might be found. One of the most vital aspects of all life is curiosity. Add it all up, and I’m sure they’re out there. So, why wouldn’t they visit?
Hynek level 3, alien or robot presence noted? I wish!
Level 4, abduction? Please, if you’re an extraterrestrial and you’re READING this via wi-fi in your spaceship, I’d love to visit you! No kidding! You can even keep one of my kidneys!
Higher levels? Direct communication, human/alien hybrids? I think it more likely that we might one day communicate with aspects of ourselves within alternate realities. Yes, our alternate selves!
AW: What was your reaction when you learned a publisher wanted you as part of their authors and then what made you decide to be self-published?
SCOTT AZMUS: Talk about thrilled! Wow! So it’s GREAT seeing your work in magazines and anthologies! Also, one of my favorite things is seeing how artists illustrate my work.
It can be so cool! Then it takes FOREVER to get some things from submission and on through editing to print and market. I’ve made sales over the years to publishers that went out of business. I’ve had editors ask for more and more material…only to have the market change during the process.
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Fortunately, publishing has massively changed over the years! When’s the last time I even used my computer’s printer? Why do I own a printer?
In the last couple of years, I’ve thus grown to be a complete Indie publisher. While we farm out some of our editing and cover art chores, Hawk’s Grove Press has become quite the fun operation.
[image error]LESSER BEINGS – A River of Light Novel – by Scott Azmus
Moreover, the software sure has come a long way since I started! I draft manuscripts using Scrivener, edit in Word, and format using Vellum. We then use Amazon, BookFunnel, MailerLite, Facebook, and Twitter to get the word out.
Revising manuscripts as they come back from my editors remains my biggest chore. Wishing for book reviews comes next. It’s incredible how much an honest review, good or bad, can help push a writer’s career. No one wants a fake or false review. We’re all just supremely thankful for any honest feedback that anyone takes the time to post!
AW: What sets you apart from other science-fiction and cyborg authors?
SCOTT AZMUS: I have a passion for change and discovery, well-suited to today’s science fiction. I strive to share new worlds, evoke emotion, and entertain with bold science concepts.
I try to ensure that each character’s human/alien interactions reveal positive messages of diversity and richness. I often hide Easter eggs so long-time fans can have moments of interactive experience between my different book series.
I’m also looking to build a “cartel” of like-minded science fiction and fantasy writers. Knowing that we share an audience, I’d like to find a way for writers to support one another and pool our talents.
AW: What can readers look forward to from Scott Azmus in 2019?
SCOTT AZMUS: The second book of my River of Light series, Rituals of Sacrifice, drops later this month. As the narrative advances, my main character’s exploits become an ordeal of shocking transformation. Can he quell absolute disaster?
[image error]MANY MOONS – A Science Fiction Anthology – by Scott Azmus
Could anyone ever be ready to face the nightmare trials the universe has in store for him? I’m now writing that story’s sequel, Significant Others, which is also due out later this year.
Fire and Forget currently sits with my line editor. Fingers crossed, it should be out in May or June. It’s a fun read, and will be the first of many novels taken from the true archives of the Time Travel Forces.
Thanks to all for spending some time with me! For supporting science fiction everywhere!
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