Rob Jan

answers the Usual Questions

Rob Jan

Multi-talented Rob Jan is a Melbourne-based artist and radio presenter with a sense of humour thoroughly warped by intensive exposure to science fiction and similar genres.

His bio in his own words.

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

It IS my work!

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

"I thought you were Dutch...." (I get that one a lot. Probably would help if I bothered to use the rest of my Chinese last name! But "Confusion to my friends!" sez I. )

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

Far, far too many to select. seriously. i'm a 'scanner' and constantly reviewing the genre merely adds to an alarming tendancy to try and assimilate way too much.

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

IN A LIFT: American inventor Elisha Otis.
IN A SPACESHIP: U.S.S Enterprise Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott. We wouldn't be stuck for long!

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

IN A LIFT: Pétomane, The famous French flatulist, Joseph Pujol.

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

Wouldn't pack much, since I'd likely be travelling steerage I'd just take my faithful knapsack so I could stow all those exotic off world gems I'd filch from those picturesque alien temples. Really though, "have spacesuit will travel" would work for me, as I'd use the suit radio to broadcast an episode of Zero-G FROM ZERO-G....

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

That people enjoy it...but not in a creepy L. Ron Hubbard "We should worship this" way....

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

Well, not being a parent any time I bring 'new stuff' into the world as an artist or writer I get a bit of a buzz. That's what keeps me going when all else (publication, fame, money!) fails.

submitted by Rob Jan

22 March, 2010

For other answers to The Usual Questions Click here

Just the facts:
Born: January 12th, 15 A.D, Rome. I experienced my first 'Quickening' in AD 61 when I took a ballista bolt in the back (friendly fire!) when my Legion was crushing the Boudica Rebellion in Britannia. Should any old friends come calling from those days, Ave!, and remember, "There can be only one!"
Resides: Melbourne, Australia.
Bibliography/Awards: There are no 'small' awards 'cos they all pretty much mean that someone, somewhere liked your work, even if just for the couple of minutes of a costume parade! I guess the single work I'm most known for are the sixteen years of broadcasting Zero-G: Science Fiction, Fantasy & Historical Radio, on Melbourne's 3RRR FM but I'm also quite fond of the entry for "Radio" that I wrote for the MUP Encyclopaedia of Australian Science Ficiton & Fantasy.

ZERO-G http://www.rrr.org.au/presenter/rob-jan
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