Tag Archives: Science Fiction

Episode 142: Interview with Edward Ashton, author of Mal Goes to War

April 10, 2024Author Interviewantimatter blues, artificial intelligence, Edward Ashton, Macmillan, mal goes to war, Mickey17, Mickey7, Science Fiction, techno thrillertopshelfatmerricklibrary

I was thrilled to welcome back Edward Ashton for his third visit to talk about his latest release, Mal Goes to War. Mal is a dark comedy wrapped in a techno-thriller that is a a satirical take on war, artificial intelligence, and what it really means to be human. For this episode we talk about the amazing personality of Mal, the ensemble cast, some Mickey17 movie updates (based on Mickey7), and of course, spiders. Thank you so much Ed – this was great!

Edward Ashton recommends The Children of Time series by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Click here to reserve all Ed’s books.

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E116: Interview with Ed Ashton, author of Antimatter Blues

March 7, 2023Author Interviewantimatter blues, ed ashton, genetic engineering, Macmillan, mickey 7, Science Fiction, St. Martin's Press, the end of ordinary, three days in apriltopshelfatmerricklibrary

“I felt like there was more to be said…that’s the essence of all writing.” ~ Edward Ashton on continuing the Mickey7 series.

For Episode 82, I had the pleasure of hosting Edward Ashton to talk about Mickey7 and for this episode, we talk about the sequel, Antimatter Blues. Antimatter Blues is a thrilling follow-up to Mickey7, soon to be a major motion picture by Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-Ho. Library Journal gave Antimatter Blues a starred review and says the book is, “a nonstop SF adventure from beginning to end.” Antimatter Blues is a direct sequel and picks up two years after the events in Mickey7 so hold on to your hats! Thanks so much for joining me once again Ed!

Ed Ashton recommends: Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky; The Ghosts of Trappist by K.B. Wagers; place your hold here for all Ed Ashton titles!

Follow Ed Ashton on Twitter @edashtonwriting; on Instagram @bucket_of_spiders

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Episode 89: Interview with Cadwell Turnbull – No Gods, No Monsters

April 13, 2022Author InterviewBlackstone Audio, Blackstone Publishing, Cadwell Turnbull, Convergence Trilogy, Fantasy, No Gods No Monsters, Science Fiction, The Lesson, trilogytopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a thrill to welcome back Cadwell Turnbull to the podcast! Cadwell was here for E41 and his debut THE LESSON. Now he’s back to talk about the first book in his brand new and very exciting Convergence Trilogy, NO GODS, NO MONSTERS. We talk about alot in this episode including what it’s like to write a trilogy, no easy feat!

“As creatures from myth and legend reveal themselves to be real, we’re reminded that people often are the actual monsters. Turnbull’s prose is gorgeous and lush, using contemporary fantasy as a lens to examine real-world oppression and injustice.” Those are my words from the Library Reads Top Ten Books of September 2021 for NO GODS, NO MONSTERS! I was honored to be chosen to cheer on the new book.

Thank you so much for joining me Cadwell – it was terrific and I cannot wait for book two!

Cadwell Turnbull recommends: Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap; the Murderbot Series and the entire Martha Wells collection; Naomi Novik collection; Emily St. John Mandel collection; the Martine Arkady collection.

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Episode 86: S.A. Barnes author of Dead Silence

March 18, 2022Author InterviewDead Silence, Horror, Macmillan, S.A. Barnes, Science Fiction, Space Horror, Stacey Kade, Titanic, Tor Nightfiretopshelfatmerricklibrary

“While I was writing this book, I had the worst nightmares…” ~ S.A. Barnes about her science fiction horror book, DEAD SILENCE.

In DEAD SILENCE, the crew of the LINA respond to a distress signal in space and it’s from a space liner that has been missing for twenty years…oof, hold onto your hats folks. Think Titanic meets Event Horizon. Yikes!

S.A. Barnes talks about the book, corporate greed, the Titanic, and this fascinating genre. Thank you so much Stacey, this was great…

S.A. Barnes recommends: Dead Space, and Salvation Day: both by Kali Wallace; Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo; The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.

Carol Ann recommends: Providence by Max Barry; The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling.

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Episode 82 : Interview with Edward Ashton author of MICKEY7

February 10, 2022Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Edward Ashton, Friday Reads, Macmillan, quantum physics, Readers Advisory, Science Fiction, ship of theseus, St. Martin's Press, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

The Martian meets Dark Matter in Edward Ashton’s high concept science fiction thriller, in which Mickey7, an “expendable,” refuses to let his replacement clone Mickey8 take his place.

I sat down with Ed Ashton in November of 2021 to talk about his fabulous third novel, Mickey7. We talked about the Ship of Theseus, quantum physics, and yes, even some Cthulhu. He also mentioned that Mickey7 has been optioned by Plan B Entertainment with quite the stellar director and lead actor. Do not miss his website which has Ashton’s many short stories and please do not miss this terrific novel.

Great big thanks to Ed, I had a blast!

Edward Ashton recommends: The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie; and Shakespeare’s Planet by Clifford D. Simak

Ed & Carol Ann both recommend, Seveneves by Neal Stephenson

You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @edwardashtonwriting

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Episode 41: Interview with author Cadwell Turnbull

July 24, 2020Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Blackstone Audio, Blackstone Publishing, book discussions, Cadwell Turnbull, debut author, Readers Advisory, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

I read The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbull in 2019 and this book is *still* with me… This incredible debut is an alien first contact novel set in the Virgin Islands and follows three families adjusting to this invasion. The Lesson explores colonialism, and the history of colonialism (how Turnbull does this, I will not spoil, but it is amazing). Cadwell Turnbull also explores sexuality, politics, and ageing. I cannot say enough about this book. We also talk about a trilogy, what he’s reading these days and honestly, this episode is just the complete package. I was thrilled to be able to host him for this episode.