Featured Interview With J. S. Harbour
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’ve been a lifelong fan of hard science fiction. I am a software developer by trade, and spent five years teaching computer science to undergrads. I have blended interests in computing, artificial intelligence, singularity theory, physics, and speculation on the future of technology. I started by writing technical books on computer programming with 19 published, and that largely explains why it took so long to get my first novel finished.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I really didn’t start reading (my favorite genre is science fiction) until my mid-teens when I discovered Isaac Asimov–he was my introduction to the genre. I loved to read as a child but was not a heavy reader until high school.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Greg Bear each influenced me in a big way.
I’m reading “Friday” (for the 3rd time) and “Methuselah’s Children” by Heinlein, and “The Science of Interstellar” by Kip Thorne.
I occasionally get inspiration in spurts and fill in a couple pages in future chapters that I hadn’t thought about in much detail, then I tend to fill in up to that point. Also, I sit on my work for at least a year before releasing it, and review it from a fresh, objective point of view. I never rush anything out the door.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Mandate of Earth is my debut novel, which I started writing in 2003. I was inspired by reading rubbish from a well-known sci-fi author (in my opinion) and said to myself, “I can do better!” 12 years later, I’m not so sure. Wish I’d finished it sooner, but I began writing technical books instead. But the world was a different place back then for indie publishing too. I was very hesitant to go in this direction versus traditional publishing, but now I’m glad I did.
Mandate ended on a mild cliffhanger so I owe fans a sequel and expect it to evolve into a trilogy as is popular today. The idea of exploring the galaxy digitally is at the forefront of the story. There’s a lot of potential there. And, reviewers said that Mandate was too slow, so the sequel will be a lot more action-oriented.
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