Ask the Author: Robert Batten
Answered Questions (3)
Robert Batten
That's a long list, but right now high on my list of priorities are (not necessarily in order): One Fell Sweep (Ilona Andrews), A Court of Wings and Ruin (Sarah J Maas), Magic Triumphs (Ilona Andrews), Strange the Dreamer (Laini Tailor), the rest of the Shades of Magic series (V. E. Schwab), The God in the Shed (JF Dubeau), The Last Machine in the Solar System (Matthew Isaac Sobin), Silver Silence (Nalini Singh), Ride the Storm (Karen Chance)... Okay, maybe I should leave it at "a lot."
Robert Batten
I'm working on the production process for my first novel, Human Resources. It's being published by Inkshares early in the New Year, and right now it's at the beginning of the formal editing process.
In addition to that, I'm working on various bonus materials everyone who's pre-ordered, and preparing to attend my first convention as an author (AI Con, Hobart, March).
I'm also in the early stages of planning the second and third novels in the series,* and trying not to get too distracted while my wife demands the prequel.
* Just to reassure everyone, Human Resources stands comfortably on its own. The second and third novels will progress a larger story-line, but it will be safe to read the first one when it comes out :)
In addition to that, I'm working on various bonus materials everyone who's pre-ordered, and preparing to attend my first convention as an author (AI Con, Hobart, March).
I'm also in the early stages of planning the second and third novels in the series,* and trying not to get too distracted while my wife demands the prequel.
* Just to reassure everyone, Human Resources stands comfortably on its own. The second and third novels will progress a larger story-line, but it will be safe to read the first one when it comes out :)
Robert Batten
That is an incredibly hard question to answer (I am a Libran, picking "one" of anything is nearly impossible). Above all, I think it would be Sabriel (and the remainder of the original Abhorsen trilogy) by Garth Nix. His divided world of technology and magic has stuck with me like no other. Other writers have created worlds I love — from classics like Tolkien to modern masters like Ilona Andrews — but the worlds Nix create resonate with me on a deep level. It also helps that he's a local (Melbourne) hero.
Looking beyond the Abhorsen series, there are some other works that have been influential. Everyone (yes, everyone) needs to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. That series is a gut-punch of pressurised urban fantasy wrapped in amazing prose. Other modern works I am currently addicted to include the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, A court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas, the Throne of Glass series (also by Sarah J Maas), and the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance.
For anyone into vampires but looking for something different, The Passage by Justin Cronin is a revelation. He turns the genre on its head, creating something entirely new from the bones of his dystopian future.
Shifting into more classic science-fiction, there are a few novels I should mention. Eon, by Greg Bear, was one of the first true science-fiction novels I picked up back in High School. I've been meaning to go back to it to see how its aged, but it was important in pushing me out of my comfortable fantasy obsession. Not long after that The Broken God (David Zindell) blew my mind. It's a slower-paced book, but packed with an amazing future dominated by philosophy and mathematics (and the occasional space battle). I could go on reminiscing about books, but I'll stop before it gets out of control. The last two I'll throw out there are Ready Player One (Earnest Cline) and The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams). Ready Player One is an amazing nostalgia trip for someone my age, and Hitchhikers is something I go back to over and over.
Looking beyond the Abhorsen series, there are some other works that have been influential. Everyone (yes, everyone) needs to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. That series is a gut-punch of pressurised urban fantasy wrapped in amazing prose. Other modern works I am currently addicted to include the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, A court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas, the Throne of Glass series (also by Sarah J Maas), and the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance.
For anyone into vampires but looking for something different, The Passage by Justin Cronin is a revelation. He turns the genre on its head, creating something entirely new from the bones of his dystopian future.
Shifting into more classic science-fiction, there are a few novels I should mention. Eon, by Greg Bear, was one of the first true science-fiction novels I picked up back in High School. I've been meaning to go back to it to see how its aged, but it was important in pushing me out of my comfortable fantasy obsession. Not long after that The Broken God (David Zindell) blew my mind. It's a slower-paced book, but packed with an amazing future dominated by philosophy and mathematics (and the occasional space battle). I could go on reminiscing about books, but I'll stop before it gets out of control. The last two I'll throw out there are Ready Player One (Earnest Cline) and The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams). Ready Player One is an amazing nostalgia trip for someone my age, and Hitchhikers is something I go back to over and over.
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