How long have you been writing?
I published a history “A Thousand Blocks of Jade – Vietnam from 900 to 1800” in 2007. I published my first fantasy novel, “The Burning Tower” in 2017.
Earlier: I started my own blog back in 1995 (the old site was www.teleologic.com). Before that, I wrote my first unpublished short story just after I graduated from college in 1983.
Which writers inspire you?
J.R.R. Tolkien, Gene Wolfe, Roger Zelazny, David Brin, Feng Menglong.
So, what have you written?
“The Burning Tower”, “The Fire Sword” (2018), “The Flame Iris Temple” (2020).
What draws you to Superversive writing?
I believe that writing has a moral purpose. Although I am not a Christian story-writer (the best of whom was Charles Dickens), never-the-less, my characters, my stories, they have to portray a good world. It is what I believe. We live in a world where flawed, but good people try to make good choices, to make the world a better place. I do not believe in despair or nihilism and I reject writers who portray evil as a “viable alternative”.
What are you working on at the minute?
I’m working (fitfully thanks to the disruptions caused by the VIRUS of 2020) on three different projects. First, I’m working on a memoir of my two months in South Korea in the year 2011. I wrote the first draft soon after I returned, and now I’m re-working it. Second, I’m working on my 4th novel in my series. It is sequel (of sorts) to “The Flame Iris Temple”. And I’ve also started work on a new series set around the time of the collapse of the Ming Dynasty.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
These days I mostly read Chinese history. I used read a great deal of science fiction and fantasy. I think I’ve read all the Hugo Award winning novels from 1950 to 1985. Favorite authors: J.R.R. Tolkien, E.R.R. Edison, Gene Wolfe, Roger Zelazny, David Brin, Vernor Vinge, John Keegan, Mark Twain, Neal Stephenson, Feng Menglong, Ling Mengchu.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I have my author’s web site at : www.historicfantasybooks.com – My three fantasy novels are available on Amazon. I also created audiobook versions of the three novels, for people who are too busy to read (like my children).
The Helicon Society 