Author Andrew P. Weston

Young: Hello Andrew, thank you for coming on my blog. Let's jump in - can you tell us about your latest book?

Andrew P. Weston (A.P.W.): Thank you for inviting me. Here is the scoop on my latest book:

Andrew P. Weston is my pen-name. My latest and most current work is The IX. It is was released in January 2015 by Perseid Press

Young: And can you give us a teaser?

A.P.W.: The easiest way to describe the book is to tell you details from the teaser page. It will put things in a nutshell:

Arden, home to a culture that has existed for thousands of years and which spans dozens of worlds. Regardless, their sophistication cannot prevent calamity at the hands of an unstoppable nemesis. Known only as the Horde, this enemy has proven relentless. They have not only stripped the outer colonies bare, but now threaten the existence of the entire Ardenese way of life.

Realizing there is nothing they can do to prevent the inevitable march toward extinction, the Ardenese governing body comes to a drastic decision. They gather together at their capital city, Rhomane, and place their remaining genetic heritage in a vast underground ark, in the care of an advanced AI construct called the Architect. Its mission? To use Rhomane’s dwindling reserves and safeguard their race by reaching out across time and space toward those who might be in a position to help reseed a devastated world at some time in the future.

Soldiers from varying eras and vastly different backgrounds find themselves snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing and transported to the far side of the galaxy. Thinking they have been granted a reprieve, their relief turns to horror when they discover they face a stark ultimatum:

Fight or die!

Despite a host of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this group of misfits manages to turn the tide against a relentless foe, only to discover the true cost of victory might exact a price they are unwilling to pay.

A.P.W. (continues): Here’s a brief excerpt from the beginning of the book:

For as far as his eye could see, the endless tide of rabid hunger continued to advance. They came pouring into the valley from all sides, and the entire basin was soon filled with seething, shrieking monstrosities of every conceivable shape and form. Not one of them stood under two decans in height.

Nearing their goal, the leading entities of the Horde howled with malice and leaped forward. Dashing their bodies against the augmented might of the battlements seemed pointless to Sariff, for the attackers achieved nothing but to spend their vitality in a blaze of explosive fury. Yet the utter futility resulting from their lack of imagination did nothing to lessen their frenzy. Regardless of their comrades’ fate, wave after wave of them continued throwing themselves to their deaths in wanton abandon. So great did the overwhelming press of shadow and flame become that the repeated detonations of each attacker’s self immolation grew into one prolonged cacophony of light and heat. Despite its density, the entire breadth of the wall thrummed under the weight of the assault.

And still they come. Sariff blanched in the face of the onslaught, witnessed here on Arden for the first time. As First Magister of Rhomane City, he seized the opportunity to study the enemy closely, for his would be the deciding vote in a decision that would seal the fate of their people.

He shook his head in disbelief, for he could see no respite from the relentless storm threatening to engulf them. Thirty planets overrun in the space of just fifteen months. More than fifty billion souls lost. A history and a culture spanning more than twelve thousand years brought to this. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. And we risk it all on an idea . . .

What choice do we have?

Everywhere he looked, Sariff saw only the inevitability of death. Unless, by some miracle, Calen’s gamble paid off. That thought reminded him. I’d better get a move on.

So mesmerized was he by the display of savagery below, he almost collided with the duty commander, Sol Beren. Sariff hadn’t heard the soldier’s silent approach, but that was understandable. The veteran warrior was a skilled tracker, renowned for keeping his men on their toes by his sudden, wraithlike appearances at different stations along the wall. Everyone marveled how he could be seen taking the lead at one post only to be spotted minutes later on the other side of the city entirely, without having used the transport pads.

His face a mask of determination, Beren studied the conflict before him. A cold and empty gaze reflected the bitter frustrations of a man who had seen too many men die worthless deaths. Sariff wished there was something he could say to ease the commander’s burden. Instead, all he could ask was: “Will it hold?”

“Oh, it’ll hold all right.” Beren brushed the smooth texture of the defenses with his fingertips. “For now at any rate. It’s pure lydium, the densest known material in existence. A marvel of technological adaptation.” He glanced down again and almost to himself whispered, “It has to hold . . . .”

Sariff caught the hint of helpless acceptance in Beren’s voice. He thinks we’re doomed. Closing his ears to the baying howls of myriad atrocities, Sariff nodded stiffly, entered the portal and was instantly snatched from the reverberating terror of battle. Materializing moments later to deafening silence, he stepped down from the teleport dais and hastened into the sanctuary’s hushed interior.

Despite the emergency, no guards were posted. In their encounters thus far, the Horde appeared unable to use the matter transporters. Whether it was due to their biophysical properties or simple lack of understanding wasn’t known. Regardless, it was looked on as a blessing. And as this location had been positioned within a tear in the very fabric of reality, it was felt additional security was unnecessary, especially as the soldiers were needed at the wall.

That fact did little to stifle Sariff’s growing unease.

Automated sensors tracked his progress toward the Archive-Architect, a self aware AI construct of stunning complexity and one of their greatest achievements. If all went well, it would also serve as their last bastion of hope against total extinction.

If all goes well.

Young: What other books/short stories have you written?

A.P.W.: I’ve written quite a few. The Guardian Series – a science fiction trilogy that details what might happen if it were ever to become public knowledge that beings with extraordinary powers and technological sophistication were looking out for us from behind the scenes. Human society can be extremely fickle. While many people would love the idea that ‘Guardian Angels’ are watching over us, others would merely perceive them to be a threat, and go out of their way to be as obstructive as possible.

I’m also the creator of the Cambion Journals trilogy, which follows the life and struggles of Augustus Thorne, a demon-human hybrid, cursed with a hunger he can barely control. He hates what he is with a passion, and goes out of his way to use his extraordinary powers to hunt down and exterminate any Incubi or Succubae he can find. Along the way, he has to struggle with the loneliness his lifestyle imposes on him, and of course, with the ever increasing efforts of the demon council to end his unholy crusade.

I’ve also written a number of ‘stand-alone’ and other short stories that have appeared in other publications as part of various anthologies.

Young: Do you publish in e-book, print, or both?

A.P.W.: My publisher – Perseid Press – (and before them Pagan Writers Press & Ishtar Press) produce their books in various electronic and print mediums.

Young: How did you get started in writing?

A.P.W.: Following a bad accident. I’d always wanted to write, but, a busy life in the military and the police force kept me away from it. Then I was injured on duty and was medically retired. That’s when I found myself with lots of time on my hands. I thought...’at last’, I can take all these ideas out of my head and put them down on paper.

Young: So with your latest work released, what comes next? What can we expect from you in the future?

A.P.W.: I’m already writing new novels. I have the second Guardian’s trilogy to complete. As for my commitments to Perseid Press. Aha! Wait and see. Let’s just say, there are stories to be told...and they’re on the way . :) 

Young: How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

A.P.W.: I tend to put a lot of myself into some of the characters. If you make things personal and put your heart into it, it adds a ring of authenticity to your created world. People can relate to that, and it draws them in.

Young: Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

A.P.W.: I have to keep to a very strict schedule. I still write in my spare time, and have to ensure I maintain the discipline required to get words on paper and projects completed. It’s tough, but worth it.

Young: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A.P.W.: Writing full time. That’s the goal I’m striving for. I won’t rest until I achieve that, because only then will I be able to devote the time and energy to my work that it deserves. I also look forward to the time I can do more to support other charities and individuals, etc. Letting a light shine through literature should be a goal of every author.

Young: What kind of research do you when writing one of your works?

A.P.W.: I had to do a massive amount of research for the IX. Remember, the inspiration was based on the 9th Legion of Rome. But, how were they structured? Who did what? How did they march, set up camp, and operate? What did they wear, and what weapons did they use. The Caledonian tribes of that time were vicious savages, and experts in ‘jungle, warfare. However, where did they come from? How did they fight? How far would they travel to engage in combat, and what made them capable enough to defeat entire legions?

Many, many facets like this had to be considered, and that was before I’d even started work on the composition and function of the many U.S. Cavalry companies and the Native American tribes of the eighteenth century. (Thankfully, I had a friend to assist me on that aspect – she’s of Cree descent, and proved to be a goldmine of information) J

The easiest part related to the Special Forces unit. For that, I drew on firsthand military knowledge and experience of sticking it to the bad guys!

Once that was done, I then had to make certain the futuristic/scientific Tec referred to within the story had a basis in fact. I called on my educational background in astronomy and physics for that. Even so, I still had to research the very latest developments, trends, and breakthroughs to ensure the ‘theoretical’ aspects had that ring of truth. Even though this is a science fiction novel, I wanted it to be believable. There’s no doubt in my mind that if you make things too farfetched and super-convenient, it turns readers off.

Despite the work involved, I really enjoy the research aspect, as it adds a depth of authority to your work that improves quality and reading enjoyment.

Young: Have you ever experienced Writer's Block?  If so how did you work through it?

A.P.W.: No, I don’t really believe in writers block. If your mind is cluttered with something, you need to take the time to clear it, settle whatever issue keeps dominating your mind, and then get back on with writing.

Young: Who are some of your favourite authors to read?

A.P.W.: Raymond E. Feist, Julian May, Janet Morris, Stephen R Donaldson, and Tad Williams.

Young: Lastly do you have any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

A.P.W.: Keep writing, keep working hard, and keep applying yourself to your craft. One day, your break will come.

The IX 

(blurb)

Roman legionnaires, far from home, lost in the mists of Caledonia.

A  US cavalry company, engaged on a special mission, vital to the peace treaty proposed by Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln.

A twenty-first century Special Forces unit, desperate to prevent a nuclear catastrophe.

From vastly different backgrounds, these soldiers are united when they are snatched away from Earth at the moment of their passing. Thinking they may have been granted a reprieve, imagine their horror when they discover they have been transported to a failing planet on the far side of the galaxy, where they are given a simple ultimatum. Fight or die. Against all odds, this group of misfits manages to turn the tide against a relentless foe, only to discover the true cost of victory might exact a price they are unwilling to pay.

How far would you be willing to go to stay alive?

The IX. Sometimes, death is only the beginning of the adventure.

Website: http://www.andrewpweston.com/

Blog:  http://andrewpweston.blogspot.gr/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestonAndrew

Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-P-Weston/e/B00F3BL6GS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

The IX buy link:
http://www.amazon.com/IX-Andrew-P-Weston-ebook/dp/B00RM54QBA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425057174&sr=8-1&keywords=the+ix