May 2017

Interview with Author Martin Clark

Can you tell us a little what your story, "No County for Young Men," is about?

In format it's a fairly conventional High Noon scenario with the narrator awaiting the arrival of his potential nemesis. However this is a Steampunk 'Old West,' where weaponry can have a mind of its own.

How did you come up with the idea?

To be honest this is an adaptation of a scene from a conventional Western background project that, realistically, I'll never have the time to complete. I recently re-read The Difference Engine, and it set me to thinking how such 'trickle down' technology would have influenced development outside Victorian Europe.

What is your inspiration for writing as a whole?

The work of William Gibson, Michael Moorcock, and Philip K. Dick. I enjoy storytelling, even though it can prove to be an exercise in frustration--trying to bridge the gap between the ideas in your head and their realisation on the page.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I'm from Dumfries, in south-west Scotland, but spent my 20s and 30s in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and Edinburgh before settling back here. After twenty-something years in computing I now work in local government. I'm married (second time around), which allows me to play the part of evil step-father.

Where can listeners find more of your work?

I'm the author of supernatural noir novellas, originally published by Eggplant Literary Productions (now sadly defunct), but their status is currently 'pending.' My first novel, Whisper My Name, is available on Kindle from Amazon; although some of the characters happen to be vampires this is decidedly more 'Get Carter' with fangs than 'Twilight.' In addition I've had short stories published in other Third Flatiron anthologies and e-magazines such as Nebula Rift (now Storyteller), Timeless Tales, Kraxon Magazine, and Mythaxis.

Any new work we should keep an eye out for?

Not Here, Not Now, the first novella in a proposed urban fantasy trilogy, is currently being edited.

(Just for Juli's curiosity): What are you reading now?

Takedown by Tsutomu Shimomura.

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