Dragon Soul Press was able to interview Ian C. Douglas, an author featured in The Hunt anthology.
Hi, my name is Ian C Douglas. I’m the author of the award-winning sci-fi series, the Zeke Hailey
Adventures. I also write short fiction usually sci-fi or fantasy and have had a lot of stories published both in my name and ghost written. Nottingham, England is my home although I am an Irish citizen. Before my writing took off, I worked as a teacher of English language in East Asia and before that in social care. My writing practice includes running the stage desk for Left Lion, Nottingham’s flagship magazine. Everything from reviewing theatre to interviewing visiting thespians. I run creative writing workshops at our Central Library, visit schools and mentor emerging writers. All in all, it
keeps me pretty busy!
- What prompted you to begin writing?
- I decided I wanted to be a writer of fiction when I was about six years old. I didn’t sleep much
back then and used to lie awake at night, concocting stories to pass the time. This was such fun
that I realized I wanted to do it for life.
- I decided I wanted to be a writer of fiction when I was about six years old. I didn’t sleep much
- Do you have a favorite story or poem you’ve written? What’s it about?
- I think the first book in the Zeke Hailey series is my favorite. It is called The Infinity Trap. A
teenager goes to Mars searching for his missing father, bluff his way in a school for psychics
and gets a brain upload from ancient Martin technology. The plot includes a cosmic demon, a
small army of robots, a Martian ghost and a secret android. It was a lot of fun to write.
- I think the first book in the Zeke Hailey series is my favorite. It is called The Infinity Trap. A
- How many projects do you have planned over the next few years? Tell us about one.
- Planning and actually doing can be two different things! I’m currently writing the first of a trilogy of books. They’re set in post-apocalyptic Britain, after global warming has turned it into an ecological nightmare. The hero is Matt, who stumbles onto a secret lab full of animal/human
hybrid teenagers. And there’s a cyborg assassin out to kill them all! The book is a SF thriller, but
also about friendship, loyalty, diversity and alienation. The earliest it will be out is 2025.
- Planning and actually doing can be two different things! I’m currently writing the first of a trilogy of books. They’re set in post-apocalyptic Britain, after global warming has turned it into an ecological nightmare. The hero is Matt, who stumbles onto a secret lab full of animal/human
- What is your writing process like?
- Sit down, switch on the PC, start writing! But for a new short or novel I do a lot of research and
make notes about the plots and characters. And ask myself questions like these. How does it fit
into narrative structure? Does the protagonist change/grow along the way? How can I push the
envelope on this one? Which audience is this book for?
- Sit down, switch on the PC, start writing! But for a new short or novel I do a lot of research and
- Where do you draw inspiration from?
- Scientific discoveries and advances. History. Conversations I overhear on the bus. Travel.
Dreams.
- Scientific discoveries and advances. History. Conversations I overhear on the bus. Travel.
- Who is your favorite author / what is your favorite book?
- So many! How can I pick one? Ray Bradbury was a huge influence on me growing up. But so
too were Lewis, Tolkien, Lovecraft, Wyndham, Wells and many more. My favorite book,
however is not genre. It is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
- So many! How can I pick one? Ray Bradbury was a huge influence on me growing up. But so
- What do you hope readers enjoy most from your work?
- The engaging characters, the world building, the suspense, the escapism and the ending.
- Where can readers learn more about you?
Dragon Soul Press 