Free Book Friday Feb. 7: Leon Stevens Interviews…Leon Stevens (yet again)

Thursday Thoughts: The Damage is Done? Weekend Wrap-up Feb. 8: Spot the Diff...

Free Book Friday Feb. 7: Leon Stevens Interviews…Leon Stevens (yet again)

Leon Stevens Interviews the Author of the Orion Arm Alliance series, Leon Stevens.

I’m here with author Leon Stevens to talk about his new science fiction book, A Matter of Sabotage. How are you doing?
Very well, thank you.
Let’s dive into the—
Aren’t you forgetting something?
[silence]
Oh! I apologize. Would you care for a beverage?
No. I’m fine.
[silence]
You can be a bit of an—
Sorry. Let’s continue, shall we? Your newest book, A Matter of Sabotage, comes out on March 31st. What can you tell us about it?
Well, it is book two of the Orion Arm Alliance series, and is a prequel to—
Let me guess. Book one?
I was going to say Euphrates Vanished—
But that is book one, right?
Yes. It is book one.
Why did you decide to write a prequel? Why not make book two book one and book one book two.
That sentence is going to wreak havoc on your grammar check.
Ha! I think you’re right! So…?
I don’t plan my series that far ahead of time, but the premise of book one is a young man waking up aboard a starship with no recollection of who he is.
Kind of an overused trope don’t you think?
Why do you think that is?
Because readers like a good mystery?
Bingo. Anyway, I wanted to bring the reader along with this man and discover who he is at the same time. If you read A Matter of Sabotage first, you’ll know all the characters that he meets for the “first time” in book one and the mystery won’t be so—
Mysterious?
Yes. Exactly.
That must be difficult to promote a new book in a series. Don’t you have to stick with promoting book one?
True. I can promote the new one to readers of book one, but new readers have to start at the beginning. And I don’t want to give too much away.
So…what can you tell us about A Matter of Sabotage?
It’s in two parts. Part one introduces how Earth becomes part of the Orion Arm Alliance, seven planets who—
That sounds like Star Trek’s federation, no?
Yes, but it’s difficult to write any science fiction now with out drawing parallels to that show. And yes, there is an academy, but it’s not called Starfleet.
Okay, so you were saying Earth is now part of this feder—
Alliance.
Sorry, alliance.
Are you trying to get me sued?
No. Please continue.
Yes, Part one is how Earth becomes part of the alliance and in part two we find out how all the characters in book one meet at—
Starfleet Academy?
[silence]
Are you done?
[silence]
Yes.
All the characters meet at the Alliance Academy and discover a cover-up which involves the death of one of their mothers.
Let me guess, sabotage?
You are so smart.
Still sounds like Star Tr —
Enough.
What do you like about this new book?
I enjoyed writing the backstories of the characters, weaving in what the readers already know, which often comes off as humorous.
Readers have said you don’t write antagonists into your stories.
They’ve said that?
No. But I know you haven’t yet.
Well, you are in for a treat. In this book I had a lot of fun writing two characters who I think are very unlikable adversaries.
Is that a polite way of saying they’re assholes?
Bingo.
Well, I wish you good luck with the book, and we will chat about…book three?
I’ll save the date.

You can read previous self-interviews here:

Leon Stevens Interviews Himself

Buy Euphrates Vanished (Kindle/KU)Buy A Matter of Sabotage (Kindle)

Don’t feel like buying the book?

Sci-fi not your thing?

Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

The story behind Free Book Friday:

I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?

Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.

Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.

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Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/