Edward McKeown

answers the Usual Questions

photo, Edward F McKeown, courtesy of the author; 220x285

Edward McKeown

Edward McKeown is a writer and editor specializing in science fiction and fantasy with occasional forays into literary and nonfiction.

Says Edward McKeown, "While the experiences of the SF Universe are out of reach of those unable to pay for a rocket ride, I use my own background to try for an underlying verity in my characters. I've parachuted, flown in gliders, hang gliders and strapped to the floor of military helicopters. "

Has your interaction with fans, for example, at conventions, affected your work?

It is very gratifying when it happens which is usually at conventions which I do not do enough of. It can really lift you up when you get an email or facebook comment about how much someone has enjoyed your work.

Is there any particular incident (a letter, a meeting, a comment that stands out?

Meeting the actress Claudia Christian (Commander Susan Ivanova from Bablyon 5) We had corresponded some before she came to Concarolinas and we hit it off pretty well. When she came to the Con she was very open and friendly, I didn't realize how remarkable this was considering her personal history with stalkers and crazed fans. We became friendly and she eventually did the preface for my second book Fearful Symmetry.

Do you have a favourite author or book (or writer or film or series) that has influenced you or that you return to?

I have two. The works of Andre Norton notably: The Stars our Ours, Stargate, Zero Stone, meant a great deal to me. They were about young people with some disadvantages finding a way to make it in the world. Sometimes I felt like her work was my only lifeline as a youngster. As an adult it was more the work of C J Cherryh: The Faded Sun series, The Chanur series and I had a serious crush on Morgaine Frosthair.

Who is the person you would most like to be trapped in a lift with? or a spaceship?

In an elevator - elevator repairman, in a starship give me the original James T Kirk, who when backed in a corner would blow the corner up and walk out of it. Lead badass of starship captains.

Who is the person you would most DISlike to be trapped in a lift with? Or a spaceship?

Anyone who would be proseylitizing on a religious or political position would be anathema to me. On a starship, Klingons, they do in fact fart in airlocks, not to mention elevators at cons.

What would you pack for space? (Is there a food, beverage, book, teddy bear, etc that you couldn't do without?)

That is the interesting question that was the basis for Robert Heinlein's Have Spacesuit will travel where the protagonist went in the direction of his dream in whatever way he could, whether it makes sense or not or his other The door into Summer. Well because I have no idea where I would be going or what I would expect: a good knife (Door into Summer-like), my M-1 rifle, and spaghetti with sauce.... You have to have your priorities.

What is the most important thing you would like to get/achieve from your work?

Honestly I want people to meet Shasti Rainhell, Robert Fenaday, Wrik Trigardt and Maauro. These are my people but I do not claim to have created them, merely to have access to the plane of existence they are on and to bring back their tales.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

The doing of it. I love to write, I do not feel healthy if I am not doing so.

submitted by Edward McKeown

8 September 2014

For other answers to The Usual Questions Click here

Just the facts:
Born: NYC a long time ago
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina, y'all come visit.
Bibliography/Awards:
Most can be found on my webpage edwardmckeown.weebly.com including some freebies.
Film The SF themed Health Film "Last Clean Chance"

Web site:
edwardmckeown.weebly.com
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