Leon Stevens interviews Leon Stevens for Lunarian Press!

Hello. I’m Leon Stevens, and I’m here with the author Leon Stevens. 

  - So, we are doing this again?

Do you have somewhere to be?

  - No, not really, unless you forgot something. Who is this for this time?

Lunarian Press.

  - Ahh, yes. Fine folks. OK, go ahead.

What would you like readers to know about you?

 - That I’m out there, not philosophically, but I am a writer. One of the hardest things about being a new indie author is getting the word out. 

Do you want to let them know what books you have written?

 - My first book, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, is a collection of—

Poems, Prose, and Pictures?

 - Exactly. My second book is a book of classical guitar music called Journeys, and my latest book, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, has both science fiction and post-apocalyptic stories, along with a few poems.

I’ve asked this before—

 - And you’ll ask it again?

[silence]

Can I finish?

 - Go ahead.

As I was saying, you write in many different styles. Do you think that limits your appeal by segmenting your readership?

 - I’ve thought about that. But if I am inspired to write something, I don’t want to limit myself. I still write poetry. It took me four years to publish my first book of poetry—I’m not going to be able to put out another right away. I hope my readership will embrace my eclectic writing.  It is about entertaining and keeping readers engaged. Writing poetry served its purpose. It was therapy for me. Once I discovered my enjoyment of writing, I turned to science fiction because that was my first love.

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

 - My father, who wasn’t a writer, would make up space stories at bedtime, so I credit him for introducing me to that genre. I like to think that Kurt Vonnegut had a role in how I write. His writing is part science fiction—without the hard science—mixed with humor, satire, and cynicism. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury turned me on to short stories.

What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

 - I don’t think there are any I wouldn’t touch or dislike reading. They are used for a reason—because they work. I wouldn’t say there are bad ones, just ones that are used badly. 

Used badly…Is that proper grammar?

 - Excuse me, did I put the adverb in the wrong place?

I’m not sure. It just sounds…odd? I see that you are redesigning your science fiction book cover. Why?

 - It was my initial design—and I liked it—however, it seemed to not have the appeal that I hoped for. After a few self-publishing courses, I decided it was a good change to make. 

I like #5, by the way.

  - That seems to be the consensus.

Feel like doing the lightning round?

 - Sure, Why not!

Favorite—

 - Chocolate!

I wasn’t done.

 - Sorry

Favorite T.V. show

 - Star Trek

What’s your favorite animal?

It’s not the same as yours? Let’s say it at the same time. One…two…three.

Platypus/Armadillo

Really? Huh. Go figure.

When was the last time you played a video game?

 - Wow. That’s a while ago. I think it was Fallout—the third one.

So, not a fan?

 - Apparently not.

Do you remember when we used to play D & D in university? 

 - We played more games than we studied, didn’t we. How about Shadowrun?

Wow, I haven’t thought of that one for a while.

 - And lots of board games.

Risk

 - Stratego

Supremacy

 - Axis and Allies

Good times.

- Indeed!

Let’s end off with a final writing question. What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

 - Write about what you love. I would say—others may not—that you should write for yourself first, then as you hone your craft, you can decide if you want to write what people are buying. 

Well then, I think that’s about it. Anything else to add?

 - Just this column of expenditures. Tax time, remember?

[silence]

Find Out More About Leon Stevens!

Leon’s Social Media and Website: Website  / Goodreads / Twitter  / Instagram

Book Links: The Knot at the End of the Rope    Lines by Leon   Journeys