Today it is an honour to welcome Steve Moore to my blog. He describes himself as the 'old English author' of the Steampunk/alternative worlds genre novel, Royal America. He is also recruiting sergeant for the Scribblers' Den in The Steampunk Empire. I managed to catch him lounging in his favourite red leather chair by the fireside in the Den, and quiz him on his work and influences.
Well I only considered writing due to being friends with a very successful author; Craig Cabell who happens to work with me in the UK Trade and Investment department. I had been speculating 'What if..?' (Like one does.) What if the British kept the Americas? Would they have bothered with India? What if the experiences of India translated into the Americas; would the Native Americans have been recruited and formed into regiments? Might they be better off? After all the British could not beat the Ghurkas so they recruited them and they have been the bravest and loyalist troops for better or worse, married to the UK, ever since. I admit I achieved very poor grades at school for English and it was only as a seventeen year old that I began to learn a tad more, when I started work.
How much research did you do before creating the alternative history in Royal America?
Well, I had some prior knowledge, but to be honest I have never travelled any further West than Donegal in Ireland and so just the basic geography was a challenge - I studied maps of the USA. Then I needed a spark or a tipping point in history and the fact that King George the third was born premature is the peg that I hang my story on. He dies and a whole different quantum universe is revealed. It is true that I had met a Native American at my school in Lewisham in South London in the 1970s. This was a Cree gentleman from Montana who provided cultural insights to South London school children. I was also aware of Native American art due to the Horniman's Museum in South London where I spent my not-so-misspent youth. Horniman’s museum was a free gift to the Citizens of London via the London County Council and it had a children’s art club in my day. I must admit Wikipedia was a wonderful resource and I learned a lot there with facts like the Pawnee human sacrifice ritual, that did not endear them to the Sioux. I did read Geronimo’s autobiography and it makes very sad reading. The amazing images in Edward S Curtis’s The North American Indian the complete portfolio also inspired me.
Were you inspired by an event or a historical figure in writing Royal America?
African history in particular gave me pointers to how history sometimes unwinds. For example not many people know that Khama the Great travelled from Southern Africa to see Queen Victoria and he asked for the British to set up a protectorate for Bechuanaland. This is now modern Botswana, which is a political oasis as the borders are natural unlike Zimbabwe where the Shona and Matebele who were for centuries enemy tribes were thrown together by British Imperialism and the drawling of lines on the map. I substituted Sitting Bull for Khama the Great and moved Rhodes (my villain) to America with a mercenary army. Lincoln is shot for genocide as his record of behavior, in respect of the Native American peoples, was despicable.
Have there ever been any adverse reactions to a Brit rewriting American history?
Surprisingly none to date. I suspect that when I ever try to gain entry into the United States of America, I might be on a list as a Red Coat counter revolutionary along with Benedict Arnold. I have sold reasonably well in the United States and I go out of my way to express admiration for the United States in this version of existence. They saved Europe on at least two occasions lest we forget the sacrifice of their young people for our freedom, today. Not very fashionable, but it is the truth. (At one point only the United Kingdom and Greece stood against fascism – the memorial of which is Ochi day as I recall).
You recently changed the cover of Royal America, why was that?
Well I got a really nice review and a slight negative comment that an original cover would be nice and so I listened to that comment. Then when an artistic fellow Denizen of the Scribbler’s Den of the Steampunk Empire, Katie Alford said she would design me an original cover, because my first one was more suited for a travel guide in her opinion, I leapt at the chance. I think she is right an original cover does help.
I get the impression you have travelled quite a bit so I ask this: Have your travels influenced your stories?
I have been very lucky to travel as far south as Johannesburg South Africa, as far north as Stockholm, Sweden as far East as Seoul, South Korea but only as far West as Donegal in Ireland. I have been mostly on business trips but there have been times when I have appreciated some free time to 'simply stand and stare' to quote WH Davies the Supertramp poet. The deserts of the Middle East and the rainforests of the east, have all had an influence. Even when I lived in Athens for a week or so, I enjoyed commuting on the trolley bus. Horniman’s museum in South London meant I did not need to travel too far to get that overseas influence. For a writer everything is an influence. Sit in the coffee bar and open your eyes. But you know that already.
Is Steampunk your preferred writing genre or do write in other genres too?
Yes, I love Steampunk. Alternative history and technology set in an extended Victorian era lends itself to Steampunk genre and I am very comfortable with this label. Strangely Steampunk is a genre where every other genre can thrive and it is enlightened and free. You can play with alternative history and dress up a bit if you like. I once said to the Scribblers’ Den ‘Steampunk is where you are sexier with your clothes on!!’ Nice hats and corsetry, ooo-er! Plus there are Steampunk subgenres where I tend towards the Pith helmet and khaki of the Victorian explorer. Where are you happiest in the Steampunk Empire?
Saying that, I have a short story that I might develop into a novella called Café Diablo which is an Arizonan Bikers Gothic Horror of sorts. I also have a Steampunk sci-fi Squidgy Aliens story on the go. Plus a Russian Western!
You say you have several short stories coming out in 2016. What are they and where can we find them?
I have a Steampunk romance called After the Khareef' in the first Rambunctious Rambling Inc Anthology coming out very soon. I came second to a much more gifted author called Lady Naomi!! Craig Cabell’s Bellack Productions have five of my stories in the First Bellack Anthology coming out in April in time for the Horror Convention. I am not a horror fan but 'Café Diablo' the short story is included plus Disturbing exhibits; A, B and C and Exhibit E the Holy Mabkara.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest work in progress?
Steam Powered Camel was a flash fiction in the Scribbler’s Den tea party anthology Denizens of Steam and I plan to expand this to do more with Tinsley Engineering and the Imperial Camel Corps in the Middle East. I have a story called After the Catastrophe; The Lady of Castle Rock based on a fellow Steampunk Empire friend’s page which is inspiring. I have permission to write about her persona. That should be my offering for the second Scribbler’s Den anthology. As I mentioned I have a Steampunk squidgy alien story called You Again with lots of space and time travel. I am planning to write an alternative history called Imperial South which I think is under wraps for the moment. I also have a Soviet western planned called The Kremlin Kowboy. I discovered Stalin was a western fan and that got me thinking. Royal America 2 is also being worked on as is a deep edit of the original Royal America.
What advice would you offer those considering independent publishing?
Steampunk is a great place to start. It is really free society where imagination is prized. My mate Craig Cabell talks about an urge to write that once you start you cannot stop. So to quote the sports brand just Do it ! That sounds a bit glib but how’s this; do you have a story you wrote ages ago or an essay you did for university? Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing pays you a 70% royalty and provides all you need to get set up as an Author. I started with non-fiction essay Maritime Security: The Port of Singapore which I did for a course, at work. Then I wrote a story about my Border Collie called Mab, namely: Mab the Urban Collie and then Mab the Urban Collie: Part Two. If I can create a canon of work so can you. I have even made some money as I sold enough to offset the cost of my website.
What if any influence does your day job have on your writing?
Well I only considered writing due to being friends with a very successful author; Craig Cabell who happens to work with me in the UK Trade and Investment department. I had been speculating 'What if..?' (Like one does.) What if the British kept the Americas? Would they have bothered with India? What if the experiences of India translated into the Americas; would the Native Americans have been recruited and formed into regiments? Might they be better off? After all the British could not beat the Ghurkas so they recruited them and they have been the bravest and loyalist troops for better or worse, married to the UK, ever since. I admit I achieved very poor grades at school for English and it was only as a seventeen year old that I began to learn a tad more, when I started work.
How much research did you do before creating the alternative history in Royal America?
Well, I had some prior knowledge, but to be honest I have never travelled any further West than Donegal in Ireland and so just the basic geography was a challenge - I studied maps of the USA. Then I needed a spark or a tipping point in history and the fact that King George the third was born premature is the peg that I hang my story on. He dies and a whole different quantum universe is revealed. It is true that I had met a Native American at my school in Lewisham in South London in the 1970s. This was a Cree gentleman from Montana who provided cultural insights to South London school children. I was also aware of Native American art due to the Horniman's Museum in South London where I spent my not-so-misspent youth. Horniman’s museum was a free gift to the Citizens of London via the London County Council and it had a children’s art club in my day. I must admit Wikipedia was a wonderful resource and I learned a lot there with facts like the Pawnee human sacrifice ritual, that did not endear them to the Sioux. I did read Geronimo’s autobiography and it makes very sad reading. The amazing images in Edward S Curtis’s The North American Indian the complete portfolio also inspired me.
Were you inspired by an event or a historical figure in writing Royal America?
African history in particular gave me pointers to how history sometimes unwinds. For example not many people know that Khama the Great travelled from Southern Africa to see Queen Victoria and he asked for the British to set up a protectorate for Bechuanaland. This is now modern Botswana, which is a political oasis as the borders are natural unlike Zimbabwe where the Shona and Matebele who were for centuries enemy tribes were thrown together by British Imperialism and the drawling of lines on the map. I substituted Sitting Bull for Khama the Great and moved Rhodes (my villain) to America with a mercenary army. Lincoln is shot for genocide as his record of behavior, in respect of the Native American peoples, was despicable.
Have there ever been any adverse reactions to a Brit rewriting American history?
Surprisingly none to date. I suspect that when I ever try to gain entry into the United States of America, I might be on a list as a Red Coat counter revolutionary along with Benedict Arnold. I have sold reasonably well in the United States and I go out of my way to express admiration for the United States in this version of existence. They saved Europe on at least two occasions lest we forget the sacrifice of their young people for our freedom, today. Not very fashionable, but it is the truth. (At one point only the United Kingdom and Greece stood against fascism – the memorial of which is Ochi day as I recall).
You recently changed the cover of Royal America, why was that?
Well I got a really nice review and a slight negative comment that an original cover would be nice and so I listened to that comment. Then when an artistic fellow Denizen of the Scribbler’s Den of the Steampunk Empire, Katie Alford said she would design me an original cover, because my first one was more suited for a travel guide in her opinion, I leapt at the chance. I think she is right an original cover does help.
I get the impression you have travelled quite a bit so I ask this: Have your travels influenced your stories?
I have been very lucky to travel as far south as Johannesburg South Africa, as far north as Stockholm, Sweden as far East as Seoul, South Korea but only as far West as Donegal in Ireland. I have been mostly on business trips but there have been times when I have appreciated some free time to 'simply stand and stare' to quote WH Davies the Supertramp poet. The deserts of the Middle East and the rainforests of the east, have all had an influence. Even when I lived in Athens for a week or so, I enjoyed commuting on the trolley bus. Horniman’s museum in South London meant I did not need to travel too far to get that overseas influence. For a writer everything is an influence. Sit in the coffee bar and open your eyes. But you know that already.
Is Steampunk your preferred writing genre or do write in other genres too?
Yes, I love Steampunk. Alternative history and technology set in an extended Victorian era lends itself to Steampunk genre and I am very comfortable with this label. Strangely Steampunk is a genre where every other genre can thrive and it is enlightened and free. You can play with alternative history and dress up a bit if you like. I once said to the Scribblers’ Den ‘Steampunk is where you are sexier with your clothes on!!’ Nice hats and corsetry, ooo-er! Plus there are Steampunk subgenres where I tend towards the Pith helmet and khaki of the Victorian explorer. Where are you happiest in the Steampunk Empire?
Saying that, I have a short story that I might develop into a novella called Café Diablo which is an Arizonan Bikers Gothic Horror of sorts. I also have a Steampunk sci-fi Squidgy Aliens story on the go. Plus a Russian Western!
You say you have several short stories coming out in 2016. What are they and where can we find them?
I have a Steampunk romance called After the Khareef' in the first Rambunctious Rambling Inc Anthology coming out very soon. I came second to a much more gifted author called Lady Naomi!! Craig Cabell’s Bellack Productions have five of my stories in the First Bellack Anthology coming out in April in time for the Horror Convention. I am not a horror fan but 'Café Diablo' the short story is included plus Disturbing exhibits; A, B and C and Exhibit E the Holy Mabkara.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest work in progress?
Steam Powered Camel was a flash fiction in the Scribbler’s Den tea party anthology Denizens of Steam and I plan to expand this to do more with Tinsley Engineering and the Imperial Camel Corps in the Middle East. I have a story called After the Catastrophe; The Lady of Castle Rock based on a fellow Steampunk Empire friend’s page which is inspiring. I have permission to write about her persona. That should be my offering for the second Scribbler’s Den anthology. As I mentioned I have a Steampunk squidgy alien story called You Again with lots of space and time travel. I am planning to write an alternative history called Imperial South which I think is under wraps for the moment. I also have a Soviet western planned called The Kremlin Kowboy. I discovered Stalin was a western fan and that got me thinking. Royal America 2 is also being worked on as is a deep edit of the original Royal America.
What advice would you offer those considering independent publishing?
Steampunk is a great place to start. It is really free society where imagination is prized. My mate Craig Cabell talks about an urge to write that once you start you cannot stop. So to quote the sports brand just Do it ! That sounds a bit glib but how’s this; do you have a story you wrote ages ago or an essay you did for university? Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing pays you a 70% royalty and provides all you need to get set up as an Author. I started with non-fiction essay Maritime Security: The Port of Singapore which I did for a course, at work. Then I wrote a story about my Border Collie called Mab, namely: Mab the Urban Collie and then Mab the Urban Collie: Part Two. If I can create a canon of work so can you. I have even made some money as I sold enough to offset the cost of my website.
Blazingly good stuff from my mate Steve. Excellent interview!Long live Royal America, and NOA Rawle!Looking forward to Steve's new works.
ReplyDeleteI have known Steve for many a year from our time at work. He is a great guy and very enthusiastic in all he does. I always remembering him say to someone that "Angola was the jewel in the crown of Africa" A future story there maybe? I also look forward to a story I encouraged him to look at. Perhaps I should have a go at it??
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