AISFP 225 – Jason Hough, Part One, THE DARWIN ELEVATOR

Timothy C. Ward and Michael R. Underwood interview the newly minted New York Times Bestselling author Jason M. Hough about his debut novel, The Darwin Elevator (Dire Earth Cycle).

Discussed:

•  The science behind his space elevator, why he loves that science fiction trope (SF Signal article he wrote on the space elevator) and research he did with NASA.
• His background in game design, the difference between game design and writing a novel, and how he used that experience to write a better novel.
• Outlining and how his book deal with Del Ray affected how he plotted out his next two books in the Dire Earth Trilogy.
• Jason’s deal with Del Ray is unique in that they released The Dire Earth Cycle in three months consecutively.
• What it was like to be a debut author for two and a half years before his first book had come out.
• Sarah Megibow is the agent for both Jason and Michael, and he mentions her advice in this decision
• Feedback he got after NPR reviewed The Darwin Elevator.
• Characters that pop off the page.
• Characterization exercises he used: movie star pictures on desktop; day-before dairy

Sponsor for Episode 225:

Rys Rising: Book I by Tracy Falbe

Tracy Falbe spent 15 years crafting 8 novels in her rys fantasy world. In The Rys Chronicles Dreibrand Veta overthrows a Goddess, wins the greatest treasure ever, and then must face a reckoning with the great empire of his homeland that he betrayed. In Rys Rising, Amar rises as the unstoppable warlord of Onja. He conquers great cities and gathers armies to take against the ancient and magical realm of Nufal. Readers worldwide have enjoyed Falbe’s fiction. Derek W. declared “I cannot put your books down.” and Teressa H. said “The Rys are unlike any characters in any other fantasy books I’ve ever read.” Falbe invites you to read Rys Rising: Book I, your gateway to a new reading addiction.

Rys Rising tells of the beginning of the rys, who were born of experimental spells cast by the ancient race called the tabre. The rys are reviled by their creators, and when conflict finally erupts the humans of two civilizations will be forced by their magical masters into an epic conflict. All will be threatened with slavery or death or worse.

Begin the adventure at Brave Luck Books at www.braveluck.com. Print, ebooks, and audiobooks are available worldwide. Download free samples, enjoy bundle discounts, and find links to your favorite ebook retailers at www.braveluck.com.

Thanks to our guest co-host, Michael R. Underwood:

Michael R. Underwood is a speculative fiction writer and North American Sales & Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books. His Ree Reyes novels, Geekomancy, and, Celebromancy were  inspired by stories like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Clerks, the Dresden Files, and The Middleman, as well as his experiences growing up geek.

Learn more about Michael at his website, and support his efforts for Angry Robot Books.

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Timothy C. Ward
Executive Producer

Timothy C. Ward‘s first publication, Cornhusker: Demon Gene (A Short Story), is available on Kindle for $.99. He is looking for beta readers for his novel, Kaimerus, described as “Firefly crashes on Avatar and wakes up 28 Days Later.”

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Stay tuned Thursday for Part Two of our interview with Jason Hough, New York Times Bestselling author of The Darwin Elevator.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 43:27 — 39.9MB)