Welsh science fiction author Alastair Reynolds.
Credit: Gollancz
Alastair Reynolds, author of one of the most anticipated and best-selling books of the year, Terminal World, found time for a quick trip Sydney recently, where he caught up with Cosmos on a rainy afternoon near the harbour.
His first short story was published in 1990 and his first novel, Revelation Space, came out in 2000 and was immediately shortlisted for the British Science Fiction Association Award (BSFA) and the Prestigious Arthur C. Clarke award.
Reynolds won the BSFA for his second novel Chasm City and has since published seven other highly acclaimed novels. In 2010 he received an unprecedented 10-year, 10-book $1.6 million deal with publisher Gollancz.
Despite a very successful 12 months, Reynolds, who spent 16 years in the Netherlands before returning to his native Wales, is extremely modest and softly spoken. He is polite and reserved, and yet very passionate when it comes to his writing. Here's what he had to say about climate change, space exploration and the fine line between sci-fi and fantasy:
Terminal World was one of the best selling science fiction books of the year. When can we expect a sequel?
Thank you, but actually it's a stand-alone for now. There was a lot of talk about it being a trilogy, and I might revisit the story in the future, but for now there are no plans to write a sequel.
Why did you cross over from science to sci-fi?
Well, I've always been a writer - ever since I could pick up a pen, I was constantly coming up with stories. And I started having books published on the side while I was working at the ESA, but eventually I was writing a book a year. I didn't have a social life anymore and so I decided to do this full time. Most of the time I really enjoyed working as a scientist, but I've turned a corner - I couldn't go back to science now.
At the World Science Fiction Convention in Melbourne, you were on a panel called "What can mystery teach science fiction?" - so, what can mystery teach science fiction?
A lot! I mean, when you're trying to piece together a world it's like trying to piece together a mystery, you know? But unlike a mystery, sci-fi is changed after it's all worked out. There's no neat wrap up - it's not like there's the "A-ha!" moment and everything falls back nicely into place. In sci-fi you come to the bottom of why the world is the way it is and then it's changed forever.
No Sequel???????!!!!
Mr. Reynolds,
I am a huge fan of your work and have turned many people onto your books. Terminal World is an amazing start to a great story. However, I can not believe for even a second that this is a stand alone novel. There are so many questions left hanging it just doesn't make sense to have no sequel (or a trilogy). The bane? The Zones? The information in Quillon's head? The Angels sent to kill him and those sent to stop that from happening?
The true reason for Spearpoint's creation? Will the young girl change the Zones permanently?
I could go on and on but you see my point. Please go online and read what your fans are saying. After reading ALL of your other books I was in full trust while reading Terminal World that you were just keeping these answers in suspense until books 2 or 3. Your other works are some of the best science fiction I have ever read. I implore you to consider revisiting this world you have generously created for us so many of these questions may be answered. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talents with us, Mike Fisher