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07Oct2011: MilSciFi.com interviews Barry K. Nelson,
author of the military science fiction novel, The McKenzie Files.
MilSciFi: "Welcome. Please
tell us a little something about your novel."
Nelson: "The McKenzie Files
is the first book in a series. The first book introduces the United
protectorate. A collection of colony worlds that the Human race established in
a distant sector of space after a viral outbreak forces them to abandon Earth
hundreds of years ago. And after a while the Protectorate draws the attention
of a hostile alien race called the Brelac. And then war breaks out. The Brelac
are secretly working with a separatist organization within the Protectorate
called Vendetta to create genetically engineered bio weapons called Reploids.
Reploids are clones of Humans that have been given destructive psychic based
powers. My main characters, Colin McKenzie, diane Christy, and Kelly Lytton are
Reploids who start out as evil. Then they're captured and reprogrammed to serve
the Humans. I like to think of the story as X-Men meet Star Wars."
MilSciFi: "Is this part of a
large series or universe?"
Nelson: "Yes. I have
several other stories planned for the series."
MilSciFi: "What inspired you
to write this story?"
Nelson: "I've always been
a science fiction fan; as well as a comic collector."
MilSciFi: "Does science and
technology play an important role in this story (or in your work in general),
or is it secondary to the story telling and characterization?"
Nelson: "Science does
play a major part of the story. Technology is the source of the Reploids
powers, through implants within their brains that augment psychic activity to
destructive levels."
MilSciFi: "Do you have plans
to expand upon, or write other works based on this novel?"
Nelson: "I will expand on
the McKenzie Files story line as I introduce several new characters, as well as
delve into Colin, Diane, and Kelly's past before they were reprogrammed. I also
plan to do a prequel story that tells what happened on Earth after the
unaffected Humans fled from the virus."
MilSciFi: "Most authors we
encounter write novellas/novels, do you write short stories, and if so do you
find it a challenge?"
Nelson: "I do find short
stories to be both fun and challenging. Right now I'm working on a short story
collection called Dark Corners that I also hope to get published. I already
have four stories completed. I want to have six more before the project is
completed."
MilSciFi: "Since time is of
the essence for getting a read up to speed in a short story, do you have a
strategy, or preferred method for doing this?"
Nelson: "I like to do my
short stories in brief scenes that time wise take place over the space of a few
hours."
MilSciFi: "What advice would
you give the aspiring military science fiction writer?"
Nelson: "Have a good
imagination, keep writing, and don't get discouraged by rejections."
MilSciFi: "Who is your
single-most influence in science fiction and what impact have they had on our
own work?"
Nelson: "George Lucus and
his Star Wars universe had a great influence on me."
MilSciFi: "Is military
science fiction the only thing you write, or is there something else out there
we should be looking for?"
Nelson: "I already
mentioned my short story collection, Dark Corners. I've also started a WW-2
Horror story called Dogs of War, that I plan to resume work on early next year.
I also have a horror story called Virus, that I plan to do some re-work on
before I try to get it published. I'm going to be very busy."
MilSciFi: "Please tell us
about your publisher, and how did you came to chose them?"
Nelson: "Penumbra
Publishing is a very good company that deals in several genre's of books. I
simply submitted my manuscript to them, as I've done with several other
publishers, then waited to see their reaction to my work. Fortunately their
reaction was highly positive."
MilSciFi: "Do you have any
other projects in the works?"
"I've already
completed the second book in the McKenzie Files series. McKenzie Files-2.
Assassination Anxiety. Where my Reploid characters, Colin, Diane , and Kelly
face their evil counter parts, The Enforcers."
MilSciFi: "Do you have any
upcoming author events?"
Nelson: "Right now I have
an upcoming radio interview on the program, That Sci Fi Show. It can be heard
on station WWNN 1470 AM. The show airs on Friday's 10 to 11:00 P.M."
MilSciFi: "Do you have a
website?"
Nelson: "I'm currently
working on a website. But I can be found on Facebook. My publisher's website
can be found at Penumbrapublishing.com. And you can find me on Amazon.com books
Author Central page. McKenzie Files can be purchased from the publisher. And
from Amazon.com books. And Barnes and Noble. E-book version sells for $2.99.
Paperback version is $10.99."
MilSciFi: "Thank you, for
your time."
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