I was browsing books in Outland Oslo, one of my favourite bookshops, when I discovered “Martian Dictator” by Øyvind Harding.

A Norwegian guy is writing sci-fi in English?! I have to meet him!

(As you probably know, I often interview people on Skype for my podcast–but I rarely get to meet authors in person.)

Well I got in touch with him through his website and it turned out that he didn’t live too far from Oslo city centre–so we met for a drink and a chat about writing and books.

Here’s what I learned about Øyvind:

He wakes up at half past five in the morning to get in his writing time, given that he’s currently working two jobs!In a year he reads about 100 books a year, all science fiction in the last few years.He recommends Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries series, Iain M. Banks’ Culture novels and the work of Joe Abercrombie.He’s very much in support of manned missions to Mars, but not so optimistic about what will happen the first time humanity gives it a shot (as his novel shows!) but he reckons we’ll crack it the second time (maybe :P)His next book, The Smuggler, is due out at the end of the year. Here’s where you can read a free sample.

Check out Martian Dictator–and why not meet an author near you? :P