Alastair Chisholm - Orion Lost - Interview (Nosy Crow) - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

Good Morning, Everybody. I hope you are all keeping well and safe. I'd like to welcome you to this fantastic interview with Alastair Chisholm. Some of you may recognise Alastair as the author of Orion Lost - a fantastic action-adventure story - published in January 2020 by Nosy Crow. This story is perfect for Star Wars/Star Trek and SCI-FI fans. If you would like to read my book review to find out more then click on this Link. 

Otherwise, keep on reading until you reach this fascinating interview. It gives a very interesting insight into the characters, the processes and even allows us to learn more about the author. I'm sure you will find it thoroughly interesting (I know that I did). Hopefully, it will entice you into obtaining a copy to READ and enjoying this brilliant book.

Tell us a little about Orion Lost and what can people expect when they read it?

Orion Lost is a sci-fi adventure story set on a stranded starship, about a group of children who have to take command and try to get everyone home. There’s excitement, and danger, and aliens, and space pirates … and someone is lying to them.

Did you let the story and the characters take you on a journey or did you map out the whole plot and know exactly what you wanted to write?

I had the bones of the story in my head, and it more or less went that way. My editor at Nosy Crow, Tom Bonnick, had some great suggestions that we adapted into the book. I find characters are much more fluid, and I tend to discover their personalities as I write them. Like Mikkel, for example – I had no idea really what he was like at first, but suddenly he was telling me all about his world. And some of the children were originally more like villains, but I couldn’t help liking them!

How did the process differ between writing a picture book to that of a middle-grade fiction book?

With picture books you’re thinking about it page by page, planning how the words and pictures will work together. (Especially once you get to know the artist – I worked with the fantastic Jez Tuya on The Prince and the Witch and the Thief and the Bears, and for the sequel, I was thinking all about how Jez might draw characters and scenes). With middle-grade it’s about creating the pictures yourself, in the readers’ minds. I love both types, but middle-grade (8-12, roughly) is a brilliant age to write for, because the readers are very sophisticated but still willing to take on fantastical ideas. 

What were your thoughts/ideas behind the interesting place and character names?

In some cases, I look through name lists to find one that feels right. Sometimes a name just happens – like for Arnold, the big brash American jock. Once he was Arnold, I couldn’t imagine him being anything else! 

For others, like the Videshi aliens, it came from a mix of the world I was building and what I wanted from them. Videshi are mysterious and strange, and I imagined India being a future space power, and so picked a Hindi word – Videshi – meaning stranger, or foreigner. 

What inspired you to write this book?

Well, I love good sci-fi, especially the Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars kind of thing. So I wanted to create something with that feel. But also, a big theme of the book is the idea of command and responsibility, self-control and self-confidence. Beth, the main character, has to step up and become the Captain, and figure out what she can and can’t do. And for me, this was a lot like the experience my daughters were going through as teenagers, stepping up to take part in the adult world. Much of what Beth learns are things I was trying to say to my own daughters.

How important are stories to you? What books are you currently reading? 

I think stories are what really make us human. As many others have said, we’re basically storytelling apes. We look at a world that’s far too big and complex to hold in our heads, and we turn it into stories that we can hold. And we say, I know this isn’t true, but it’s true enough to get going with. We say, these things didn’t happen, but when I tell you them, you can understand how they would feel. We say, you haven’t been here, but I can make you feel like you have.

At the moment I’m reading a lot of middle-grade fiction, which is great fun! I’ve just finished Dashe Roberts’ Bigwoof Conspiracy, which is hilarious, some zombie excitement in Wranglestone by Darren Charlton, and Joan Haig’s really lovely Tiger Skin Rug book. I’m also chomping through absolutely tons of old Judge Dredd comics :-)

It was lovely to see quotes from children on the Press Release. What has been your favourite quote to date and why? 

It was fantastic, wasn’t it? I was so chuffed! I think my favourites are the ones that say, “I’m not normally into science fiction, but …”. I love sci-fi, and I love how it allows you to tell stories about people, and I hope I’ve managed to convert a few readers!

Oh, and this year some children dressed as Orion Lost characters for World Book Day, and that was amazing! 🤩

How do you think children's books can help children and families during the pandemic we are currently facing?

It’s all very strange right now, isn’t it? The news is grim, people are stockpiling, parents are worried, and kids pick up on that. But it’s also weirdly boring, because you can’t go out, even to school.

I love all stories, including TV, film, and games. But books (and audiobooks) have a special magic because they change depending on what you bring to them, and what you need right now. The same book can deliver adventure and escape, comfort and hope, laughter and empathy, danger and courage. When you’re inside a book, you are its heroes, and some of that stays with you. With the best books, it stays with you forever. That’s probably something we all need right now.

What are you currently working on?

I’m editing my next sci-fi novel, which is a story about robots, and in between that I’m writing a series of dragon books for younger children. It’s quite a mix!

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Interview with Author Huw Powell (Spacejackers) The Pirate King (Bloomsbury Kids)

Here we are, as promised, Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books interview with Huw Powell, the author of the Spacejackers trilogy. The Pirate King is the latest, and final, book to be published in the trilogy on the 12th January by Bloomsbury Kids Books. Here is my recent review of The Pirate King if you would like to know more about this book. Welcome, Huw, and thank you for taking the time out to answer some personal questions about your writing career and The Pirate King. 

Here are the questions and answers to the interview. I hope that you enjoy these and that they entice new readers to the series. 

1. The Pirate King is the third and final adventure, what can we expect?
   
   
   Friendship, space pirates and a galaxy load of adventure! Teenage tearaway, Jake Cutler, returns in The Pirate King to search for his father and save his friends. The galaxy is now at war and Jake is right at the heart of it. He needs to lead the independent colonies into battle, but will anyone trust to a spacejacker? Jake has to prove himself as a leader, so he can take down the corrupt Interstellar Government once and for all.
   
   
2. How would you best describe a swashbuckling adventure? 
   Fast and furious, where daring heroes use their courage, wits and sword skills to defeat sinister villains and save the day. Swashbuckling spans several genres, featuring pirates, musketeers, knights and outlaws – with heroes such as The Three Musketeers, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Princess Bride, Robin Hood, Zorro, Blackbeard, Jack Sparrow, Morgan Adams and (of course) Jake Cutler.
   
   
3. How did you feel, when you had written the last word?
   I knew at the time that the writing process wasn’t quite finished, that there would be edits and re-writes, but typing that final full stop was like finally solving a very long and complicated puzzle, or finishing an epic game of chess. It was over, the first draft was complete. I was mentally exhausted, but buzzing from the achievement, as well as relieved to hit the deadline. I remember that there was a strange emptiness in my head, where before there had been a relentless hive of activity and trains of thought spanning three novels. But it didn’t last long – because writers move on; our brains becomes restless and we get itchy fingers. A question suddenly popped into my head: “What’s next?”
   
   
4. Is this really the end? What's next?
   For now, this is the end of Spacejackers, or at least the end of this particular trilogy. However, you never know when adventure might call again for Jake Cutler. It has been a lot of fun writing the three Spacejackers novels, but it’s time for a change. I’m going to work on a few new ideas this year and see where they take me. But who knows, there might be a fourth Spacejackers novel one day.
   
   
5. What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
   Swear words. When you’re a child, there’s nothing more intriguing than a collection of forbidden words. The fact that these words are kept secret from children, that they are reserved for adult use only, makes them as notorious as Lord Voldemort. What really gives swear words power is the reaction of those who hear them. The level of offence and upset that these words can cause made me realise that language must be used with respect.
   
   
6. What dreams have been realised as a result of your writing?
   It’s always special to get published, to see your name in print, to see your ideas on a page, to discover your book on a shelf, to hold it in your hands, to smell its print, to hear the audio book, to download the e-book, to visit schools and speak at literature festivals, to sign copies for excited children, to receive positive reviews and to be short-listed for an award. Writing a trilogy was a massive challenge and a journey of discovery. It’s still hard to believe that all three books are now published. I’ve still got a few more writing dreams to realise, including winning an award, improving sales in the USA and having my books adapted as films.
   
   
7. Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
   Yes, I started writing a YA novel before Spacejackers, but I stopped half-way through the final chapter. The story is dark and gritty, however it’s not easy to describe and I knew it would struggle to find a mass market, therefore I decided to park that particular manuscript and make my name with a space pirate adventure instead, before taking another look at it.
   
   
8. Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
   Absolutely. They say that you should not judge a book by its cover, but the cover can help a book to stand out on a crowded shelf. Awards, reviews and recommendations are useful when searching for the best books to read, however a good cover can often tell you everything you need to know. I was adamant that the Spacejackers cover would feature a skull in a space helmet over crossbones, because this would tell readers exactly the sort of book they were buying.
   
   
9. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
   For children’s books, it’s important to make things easy for the readers, so they can immerse themselves in the plot and enjoy the experience. Yes, books should challenge your imagination and vocabulary, but not to the extent that readers have to work for every sentence. For me, quirky sentence structures and excessive ‘wow’ words disrupt the narrative flow, which can burst the reading bubble and get in the way of the story. There are other important elements, such as tone, pace, spelling and grammar, as well as avoiding obvious clichés and tropes. But most of all, children’s books should be engaging and exciting (and if possible, fun)! 
   
   
10. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which authors/illustrators would you invite? 
    Everyone has their favourites, however I would include those whose works have touched me the most, as well as those who would make fascinating dinner guests (assuming we can go back in time). My list of children’s authors and illustrators would include JRR Tolkien, Sir Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, Richard Adams, Douglas Adams, CS Lewis, Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson, Quentin Blake and Raymond Briggs. I would also have David Baddiel and David Walliams on standby, in case the dinner conversation became too serious.
    
    
11. Anything else you would like to share with us? 
    
    I’ve discovered a lot over the last few years as I’ve written the Spacejackers trilogy. I’ve discovered that the average author earns £11k a year (according to the Society of Authors); that girls read more than boys (according to the Literacy Trust); that reading for pleasure helps children to do better at school (according to the Institute of Education); that school and public librarians are literary saints; that book bloggers are massively important for the industry; that you should trust your agent and publisher; that writing is not a gift, it’s hard work; that commercial novels are less likely to be short-listed for awards; that family time is precious; and that I love writing children’s books!

www.spacejackers.com 

www.facebook.com/spacejackers

Huw Powell - The Pirate King (Spacejackers) - Book Review - Published by Bloomsbury Children's

The galaxy is at war and Jake Cutler is at the heart of it. With his friends and allies captured, it's up to teenage space pirate Jake to go into battle and take down the corrupt Interstellar Government once and for all. But in order to win this battle, Jake must find his father and confront secrets from his own past …


Prepare for blast-off with the explosive third book in the Spacejackers series – perfect for fans of Star Wars, pirates and space adventures of all shapes and sizes.

The Pirate King has been published today and, sadly, this is the last instalment of the Spacejackers series. This has been one of my favourite on-going series, but it has now come to a galactic supernova end. It has been a fantastic series, but the question everyone wants the answer to is: will we ever see Jake Cutler and the crew again? Well, you will have to buy the book and turn the pages as fast as a rocket launching to find out. So go on, what are you waiting for? This fabulous book is out now in all good bookshops across the galaxy.  

The third book follows on seamlessly from the second book 'The Lost Sword'. Jake finds himself searching for the answers about his father and whether he is alive or not. This leads him into interesting scenarios and dangerous situations. However, you'll have to read the book to find out more. 

Jake forms the group The Independent Alliance to unite the galaxies to fight the corrupt Interstellar Government. He leads the independent colonies into battle which results in a climatic battle that will fill your space boots full of swashbuckling capers.

From start to finish the story is brilliantly engaging. It has been injected with a gravitational pull that super-charges your imagination and will capture the mind of all readers regardless of age and gender. Any loose ends are neatly tied up by the end of the book to create a satisfying reading experience.

You could read this book as a standalone story but, if you do, then it should make you read the other books with gravitational force. It will fill you with humour and action battles as well as giving a massively explosive space opera. It has a great setting full of brilliantly executed, imaginative characters as well as a wonderful plot straight from a childhood dream. Will you be sucked into a black hole (or two!) or as a reader will you come out fighting fit? This is a fantastic series. In fact, it is one of the very best to keep your attention from the first book until the very last page of this book. MAGNIFTY!!!

Please keep an eye out for the interview with Huw Powell which explores The Pirate King (book 3) and his writing career. This will be available on Mr Ripley's Enchanted books website early next week.

Read an extract here: http://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/files/the-pirate-king-extract.pdf

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Author Interview with Huw Powell - SpaceJackers

I'd like to thank Huw Powell for agreeing to do this interview and for taking the time to answer some questions for Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books. I really loved reading 'Space Jackers' and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, 'The Lost Sword', which is out in July. I'm hoping that the next book will be soon on its way Huw, perhaps a cover reveal at some point would be good (hinting cheekily). So, over to Huw and his fantastic replies below.....


Tell us a little bit about Spacejackers and the series?
Spacejackers is an exciting new book series about space pirates. The first novel was published in July last year by Bloomsbury (paperback and ebook) and WF Howes (audio book). It’s all about a boy called Jake Cutler, who is abandoned on a remote planet when he’s two years old. Jake is raised by cyber-monks, but he has a passion for the stars and a thirst for adventure. When Jake turns thirteen, space pirates attack the monastery where he lives, forcing him to flee the planet aboard a grubby old spaceship called the Dark Horse. Jake embarks on an incredible voyage through space in search of his missing father and a mythical planet called Altus.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special? 
Jake grows up not knowing who he is or where he’s from. He doesn’t even remember his own parents. His only clue is a mysterious gold pendant that contains three crystals: a diamond, a ruby and an emerald. This means that Jake never really feels as though he belongs with the cyber-monks – or anyone else – he has no sense of identity. If that wasn’t bad enough, his eyes were damaged in a space storm and replaced with special computerised lenses, which means that Jake has bright purple eyes. When space pirates come searching for Jake, he has no idea why.

What is your favourite theme/genre to write about? 
Space. As a writer and reader, I get excited about a lot of genres, especially those set in intriguing worlds full of magic and mystery. However, I’ve always been fascinated with space and what the future might hold. As a child, I was obsessed with Star Wars and Warhammer 40K role play, as well as science-fiction books and comics, including The Stainless Steel Rat series by Harry Harrison and The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The challenge writing Spacejackers was to make the future feel old, so people feel they are reading a classic tale, like Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start writing something? 
A few years ago, I was living in London and spending most of my time working – with little to show for it. I really wanted something else in my life, however my options were limited because of my long working hours, therefore I needed something flexible. What could be simpler than a notepad and pen? My brother was already a published author and I had always enjoyed writing in my younger years. I started scribbling whenever I could find time, usually in cafés or on the tube, and I was immediately hooked. A few years later, my first novel was published.

What are your current projects? 
In addition to promoting the first Spacejackers book in the UK, I’m helping to ‘Americanise’ the novel for release in the US and Canada in June. At the same time, I’m putting the finishing touches to the second book in the series, Spacejackers: The Lost Sword, which is due out in the UK, Australia and New Zealand on 2nd July. Finally, I’ve started writing the third book in the series, currently titled Spacejackers: The Pirate King, which will be published next year. In my spare time, I’m a Patron of Reading and I support various initiatives that encourage children to read.


What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book? This is always a tricky balance for me, because I have a ‘day job’ and two young sons, which means that I have to be disciplined with the time allocated for writing. As an author, I want to make the second and third books as good as they can be, however it’s important to devote a few hours a week to promote the first book, so it has the best possible chance of success. This includes school visits, literature festivals, website updates, social media, local press, interviews, etc.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
There are so many people to choose from for different reasons. Imagine being able to meet Jesus Christ, King Arthur, William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein or Winston Churchill. If there was one children’s author I would like to meet today, it would be JK Rowling. I would love to talk with her about the Harry Potter series and swap ideas for other novels. Her books have become modern day classics, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. It would be fascinating to understand her approach to writing and find out if there will ever be another Hogwarts adventure.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
It would probably be The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. Not only is it a fantastic trilogy full of magic and adventure, but JRR Tolkien created a whole world with Middle Earth, including its own creatures, politics, history, maps and languages. His work has entertained generations of fans and inspired a whole genre of fantasy novels. Most authors only dream of leaving such a legacy.

How do you describe your role of Patron of Reading?
Fun, rewarding and an honour. Writhlington School is a modern secondary school in Radstock with impressive students, staff and facilities, which includes a brilliant library and a first class librarian. The school has a great feel to it and I really enjoy engaging with the children (mostly years 7, 8 and 9). As their Patron of Reading, I encourage the students to read for pleasure, whether they are library prefects or rapid readers. This means regular visits, a monthly newsletter, competitions and messages from other children’s authors.

Is there anything else that you would like to tell us?
Never trust a space pirate!
 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Huw Powell - Spacejackers - Published by Bloomsbury

This is one of the coolest book covers around at the moment. The cover illustration was designed by the talented Alex Fuentes. Bright, vibrant and eye-catching it will certainly help lift the book off the bookshelves by an eager reader. Spacejackers is a brand new trilogy featuring Jake Cutler and his new-found friends; it is a cracking action-packed debut from Huw Powell. 

The story is a space romp full of aliens, fantastic space monsters and an abundance of technology and cool gadgets. The mysterious start fills you with intrigue; the futuristic world catapults the reader into a fast paced page turner crafted with a high energy tempo that will have the reader lapping up the pages. 

Jake Cutler, a boy searching for his destiny in the company of a ship full of ruthless space pirates and some special cargo, is abandoned as a baby on the Planet Remota, where he is left in the care of a group of cyber-monks. After living a sheltered life, it all changes when his home is invaded by ruthless space pirates with just one target: him. Jake is now on the run with a bounty hunter and the suspicious-looking crew of a spaceship called the Dark Horse. However, Jake Cutler's destiny to find his home planet soon uncovers the truth about his past. 

This book should be dubbed as SPACECRACKERS, as it is funny, full of explosive mayhem and zero-gravity antics that you will all love. Nevermind the well-written crazy characters, vast alien worlds, shipwrecks and one mighty black hole. This book is full of high-octane space battles and planet skirmishes which is a fantasy strong point. I loved the detail in the story - it's very well imagined, highly overactive which, in my opinion, leaves the plot feeling a little quirky and delivers a sense of fun which I really enjoyed. I love a great space story and this one ticks all of the boxes - it should do very well.

This is a great interstellar delight full of exciting adventure for the young and the old. The dramatic and climactic ending leaves the story ready to be continued in 'The Sword of Altus' which is due to be published in March 2015. NEVER TRUST A SPACE PIRATE. OUT NOW IN ALL GOOD GALACTIC BOOKSHOPS.