There’s a very young adult feel about today’s author update. I hope you enjoy this look back at some of my past interviews and hearing what the authors have been up to since we last spoke.

SM Pearce

After publishing her first novel, I interviewed SM Pearce back in October 2018 about the release of OUTLIERS, a futuristic YA sci-fi / dystopian novel which readers described as the Gifted meets the 100.

GJ: So what’s been going on since the interview?

SM: I’m currently beginning my first year of post-secondary at Queens University, Belfast, where I’m studying architecture!

It’s quite a ways from home, and so far has been a really exciting adventure! I’ve also discovered a passion for sustainable living, and I am starting to take steps to create less waste, as well as to promote awareness and action for the climate emergency! You can find my social media page for that @sustainably_sierra.

GJ: And what about your writing?

SM: I’m continuing to work on the second book in the OUTLIERS trilogy, OUTLIERS: DIVISION, though I can’t be sure when it will be published at the moment. 

GJ: Thanks SM. Please make sure you let me know when the second book is coming out and good luck with university!

You can pick up OUTLIERS by following this link.

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Una McCormack

In November I interviewed Una McCormack, a New York Times bestselling science fiction author who specialises in TV-tie novels, in particular Star Trek and Doctor Who.

This year has been an exciting year for Una as she has given up her day job as a university lecturer to write full time!

GJ: Are you enjoying your new-found freedom?

UM: Yes, I’m loving being freelance! First September in 20 years that I’ve not had lesson plans to work on. I’ve had a busy year, not least writing the prequel novel for the forthcoming Star Trek: Picard series. I’m thrilled to get a chance to work on this: people are very excited to see Patrick Stewart reprise the role and it’s great to have a chance to be involved.

I wrote a critical essay for the reprint of the first novel by the brilliant sf writer and feminist, Vonda N McIntyre: The Exile Waiting (out in a month from Handheld Press, one of the UK’s best small presses). And I’ve been finishing up co-editorial work (with Regina Yung Less) on a collection of essays on the award-winning sf/f writer Lois McMaster Bujold. That’s coming from Liverpool University Press at the start of next year.

GJ: Wow, that is a lot on your plate.

UM: Yes and I’ll be a guest at FantasyCon in Glasgow in October! So a very busy time!

GJ: Thank you Una.

You can see all of Una’s novels here on her amazon author page.

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Suzanne Craig-Whytock

Back in July 2018, Suzanne was my first ever interviewee! Suzanne writes young adult fiction, releasing SMILE in November 2017.

GJ: Suzanne, what have you been up to since we last chatted?

SC: It’s been a busy year for me. My new novel The Dome (published by Bookland Press) will be released on October 15th, and I’m very excited about it.

The book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, Chapters Indigo, and most other distributors. I’ve also had short stories and articles featured in Slippage Lit, X-R-A-Y Literary Magazine, and Women Writers, Women(s) Books.

Currently, I’m working on my third novel, The Seventh Devil, as well as my weekly humour blog, and a short story collection.

GJ: Can you give me a short synopsis of your new novel, THE DOME?

SC: I’d love to.

Dee and her twin brother Cee have spent their lives in Adanac surviving under the oppression of The Consortium and avoiding The Dome, where Freeworlders like them are taken to fight each other, often to the death, for the slightest offence. But when devastating circumstances force the twins apart, they must find the strength to face their fears and overcome them, for themselves and all of Adanac.

Here’s a link to the novel on Amazon.

GJ: Thank you Suzanne.

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Of course, since I last interviewed these guys I’ve been hard at work on producing a follow up to IN THE END and the second in the series releases on 8th November 2019. You can you take a look and pre-order here.

Before The End is the second and standalone book in the thrilling post-apocalyptic series In The End. If you like dark horror, fast-paced action, and bloodthirsty zombies, then you’ll love my high-stakes tale.