For the first time ever on my website, I would like to welcome and introduce a fellow author, Mark Iles - the good looking chap top centre in the picture.
Mark writes science fiction and has always loved reading it too. In my opinion writers of science fiction have quite wild and extraordinary imaginations. Just check out those fantastic mind-blowing films like Galaxy Quest and adventure series such as Star Trek.
Mark's current novel - A Voice In The Darkness - is pictured on the far left. It is the 2nd in his Sundering Chronicles series. As well his military experience, Mark adds to his melting pot of fiction; aliens, weird ghosts, lots of gore, a future Earth, human emotions, memorable characters and authentic dialogue. It is quite an adventure and I heartily recommend it.
When this opportunity to question Mark came my way, I jumped at the chance. After all, if you don't ask, you are definitely never going to find out! :)
Questions:
Once you've finished editing and proofreading, who is the first person you trust to give you honest feedback?
I ran an ‘Orbiter’ for the British Science Fiction Association for many years. Basically, a critique group, it was an ideal way to get feedback from other authors. That was always my first port of call. I also have very close writer friends, who are luckily very giving with their time.
When the big day arrives and you are approached by a film company, will you handle all the negotiations?
Nope, that’s what agents are for. I just need to get one. It’s been quite difficult, because they have strict shopping lists when it comes to authors.
What kind of writing targets do you have?
At the moment I’m focusing on getting Book III finished, and try to write a couple of thousand words per day. If I’m not in the mood, however, I don’t push it. The work has to come to me naturally; but if I’m stuck for a scene I research the subject in hand. For instance I look up images similar to what I’m looking for and if, say, I was writing a scene about a castle I’d visit one and see what it’s like first hand.
I’m well aware that to write you also need to read, a lot. However, I often cheat by getting audio versions which I listen to when driving, etc, – knowing that the time I’d spend perusing a book could be used on my own writing.
During your writing journey, have you made any discoveries about yourself?
Yes, that having spent a lot of time in the armed forces I put a lot of myself into my writing. I’d done that for years without realising it. Experiencing things first hand, like research, really informs the reader – puts them right there in the story, if you like.
The military have a very dark sense of humour, well you would have when people are throwing nasty things at you, and that often reflects in my work.
About the author
Born and raised in Slough, Mark Iles began studying the martial arts when he was 14 and joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17. A voracious reader he used to devour up to three paperbacks a day - primarily science fiction, fantasy, and horror - by the likes of John Wyndham, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, Ray Bradbury, Brian Lumley, Frank Herbert, C. J . Cherryh, Stephen King, and a plethora of others. After The Falklands War, Mark was drafted to Hong Kong, where he began writing features for a variety of martial arts magazines, and short stories for a wide range of markets.
In 2012, Mark decided to challenge himself and undertook an MA in Professional Writing, followed by Diplomas in Copywriting and Proofreading. With over 200 short stories and articles under his belt the book he wrote for his MA Project, A Pride of Lions was published by Solstice - followed by two other novels, a short story collection, and four novellas. His novel Gardens of Earth, Book I of The Sundering Chronicles, was published by Elsewhen Press in 2021. A Voice in the Darkness is the second in the series.
Now a 9th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Mark is still involved in martial arts and has also written both a book and an app on the subject.
Blurb : A Voice In The Darkness
When children on the colony of Semillion go missing they return changed, the parents even claim they are not their offspring. Sherrif Andrews soon finds himself investigating the bizarre situation. What he discovers leads to him being recalled by the military and sent back to Earth, a place now quarantined and where colonial humans are forbidden to venture. The intention is to recruit ex-commando Seethan Bodell, who's living with the survivors of The Sundering and the mythological creatures that now inhabit the world.
Earth is still ruled with an iron fist by the alien Spooks, but there is something else going on behind the scenes, a new and deadly threat. To succeed, Andrews and Bodell need to call on that grand tapestry of inhabitants: the shapeshifters, elves, the ravening pack of werewolves that Seethan now belongs to, and even the dead; in the hope that it will be enough to prevent an escalating situation that could so easily lead to war.
Excerpt : A Voice In The Darkness
Seeing some of his bridge crew reach for their weapons, the commodore shouted, “Stand fast! Holster those weapons, now!” Then he added more calmly, “You can’t kill a dead man.”
The bridge crew silently did as they were told, although each had terrified expressions and began backing away from their visitor. Each knew that this would fill their nightmares for years to come.
Then the cadaver approached Andrews in a slow ungainly gait and stretched out its hands towards his throat.
God, that smell! Andrews thought, as the stench of rotting flesh created a ball in his stomach that threatened to explode through his throat. He swallowed forcibly but stood his ground. Taking a deep breath through his mouth, he said, “I’m here because of an urgent issue. We need to know why you’re attacking our colonies and taking away our children, when we had a deal.”
The corpse froze in mid-step, the bony hands dropping to its side. The uniform it wore bore the rank of a petty officer, heavily discoloured by stains of decomposition. There was a name tag above his left breast, but Andrews didn’t look at it. He didn’t want to know. Slithers of putrid flesh fell like flower petals from its sleeves as the hands lowered, and empty eye sockets drilled into him as it cocked its head.
“I’d like your permission to speak to Seethan Bodell, perhaps he can help with this matter. You have my word that we mean no harm and that we’ll leave after completing our mission. But these child abductions have to stop.”
The creature was silent for a moment, and then said, “Unlike humans we do not break our promises…and it is not us who are attacking you. Your name is known to us, Commodore Andrews. You have our permission to land a small ship at the scene of the last battle.”
The corpse turned towards the hatch, leaving behind the foul stench and a few squirming worms. Just before leaving it paused, and faced Andrews once more. “This ship will leave orbit once you’re on your way down to the planet. If it remains here, it will be destroyed.”
The captain bridled but before he could say anything Andrews said, “One more thing, my smarts won’t work in the null field you have surrounding Earth. Therefore, I’ll need to bring another person with me for verification purposes. This has stopped our technology from working before.”
“What, don’t even your own people trust you on your word?” If a corpse could have smirked, it would have. “Very well, you may bring another.”
Somehow those whispered words sounded clearly in the room. That said, it turned back through the hatch and disappeared back out into the passageway beyond.
Andrews felt the tension ease, as if his very muscles gave a sigh of relief. He couldn’t help but look down at the putrescence remaining, the small crawling things left on the floor amidst pieces of discarded flesh. Someone in the room vomited, adding to the stench. Cleaner bots swept out from their hidey holes and quickly cleaned the mess up.
Links:
Elsewhen Press: Mark Iles – Elsewhen Press
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.eu/d/00OIgfj6
Amazon Hard Copy: https://amzn.eu/d/0iYlD7sS
Website: www.markiles.co.uk
X (formerly Twitter): @welcometoearth
Comments