What is the working title of your book?
The original working title was PERIAPSIS, which you'll still see all over my blog (to the left and above). It's a scientific term for the closest point between two planetary objects in orbit. I liked it for a long while, but the name just didn't roll of the tongue like I needed it to. After a bit of brainstorming, I think I'm gonna title it STARBOARD, after the main character, Jason Starboard. Let's see if that sticks ;)
In fact, here's a sneak preview of a new piece of concept art for the book, called "Tragedy in Volos":
Where did the idea come for the book?
I actually wrote a bit about the inspiration for the premise here. I'd read an article about the recently-discovered system called Kepler-36, in which two planets cross orbits periodically, coming very close to one another. The idea that you could look up into the sky and see another planet hanging there every so often just totally enthralled me. How would periodic contact like that impact the civilizations on each planet? What if someone on Planet A longed for something or someone on Planet B?
What genre does your book fall under?
The broad genre would probably be YA sci-fi/fantasy, but I'd like to think of it as a good ol' Planet Opera, in the vein of something like Avatar. Space Opera may be pushing it, since most of the action happens on-planet. But there is an epic space battle that I just have to mention :)
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ahhhh! I'm not too sure about this one. I don't usually have actors in mind when I visualize my characters. I think I'll leave that up to the casting agent ;) I will give you one, though. Captain Borgand has always reminded me of Hagrid, since he's got a bushy beard and arms like tree trunks, and so I'd say Robbie Coltrane should play him. You're a wizard, Harry!!!
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What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Seventeen-year-old Jason Starboard has 7 days to journey to another planet, find his long-lost father, and complete a pilgrimage for an ancient starship before his own world is destroyed.
What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
Hmmm… I'm not sure there is much Space Opera in the YA category yet, especially from a boy's perspective. If there was something that I'd maybe compare it to, I'd say it would be John Carter of Mars (I know this is a classic and the original inspiration for a lot of sci-fi, but what the hell!). Another way I would describe it is Jason and the Argonauts in space, only instead of trying to find the Golden Fleece, the MC is looking for his father, and instead of a kingdom in the east, Colchis is another planet ;)
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Only time will tell — but I'd love to have an agent to work with on this.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Other than Kepler-36 and the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, I would say that a lot of the themes in the book are either reflections of or inspired by my own life ;)
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Hmmm… a planet made of living coral, seductive Sirens, harpies, an ancient pilgrimage for a ship of legends, and that epic space battle I mentioned, to boot! I think STARBOARD is one hell of a journey, and I know people will have a lot of fun experiencing Jason's adventure on another world.
Whooo will I tag? Muahahahaha:
Petre Pan
Tamara
Rhiann Wynn-Nolet