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An Interview With Al Ellis

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I have had two science fiction novels published in paperback editions: Death Jag by Manor Books and Worldmaker by Ace Books. Worldmaker was reprinted in Germany, and was recently optioned to an independent Los Angeles film production company.

I have published two more sf novels as e-books, as well as a handful of short work in both print and electronic formats. My e-books can be accessed through my Web page at www.acellis.net, and my latest short story, "Worth a Chance," can be found online at www.shredofevidence.com.

I live in Denver, Colorado.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

After more than twenty years writing technical manuals for a major telecommunications company, I am back writing fiction. I am currently working on a mystery novel, the first of a series.

I am recently divorced, but I am pursuing a wonderful red-haired, green-eyed woman. (I won't mention names her, but you know who you are.)

What is your favourite food?

My favorite food is probably fried chicken (with steak running a close second.) I relaize these are foods that are not particularly good for me, but they are my favorite.

What is your favourite colour?

Red (the color of you-know-who's hair).

And I just noticed that the spellings here (favourite, colour) are the British spellings. Interesting.

What is your favourite sound?

That would be waves lapping on a beach, followed very closely by the rush of water against the hull of a fast-moving boat.

Who is your favourite person?

She knows who -- that red-haired, green-eyed woman. We'll just call her Janet.

What is your favourite place?

In Janet's arms.

What is your favourite memory?

Two nights ago, with Janet.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

With Janet, noth.... Well, never mind that.

Swim trunks.

What is your favourite word?

Specificity

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

Actually, it is a famous exchange through telegrams between George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill, before the opening of Shaw's play "Pygmalion." I favor and savor it for its humor and wit.

Shaw to Churchill: AM RESERVING TWO TICKETS FOR YOU FOR MY PREMIERE. COME AND BRING A FRIEND IF YOU HAVE ANY.

Churchill to Shaw: IMPOSSIBLE TO BE PRESENT FOR THE FIRST PERFORMANCE. WILL ATTEND THE SECOND IF THERE IS ONE.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

My big... feet.

Seriously, I think it's my sense of humor. I'll do just about anything for a laugh.

And loyalty. I'm extremely loyal. Just ask my ex.

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

My small... feet.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Singapore. A beautiful city. The most clean city I have ever seen. The people are friendly. It is always warm. And they have Raffles Bar, the place where the Singapore Sling was invented, and where I have downed many of the same. They also have the most lush botanic gardens I have ever seen. Amazing!

What inspires you to write and why?

If you wait for inspiration, you're lost.

But I guess the mere physical act of writing, of generating pictures and emotion through words, is what turns me on about writing. It's the process itself.

What is your favourite book and why?

I should probably say it is one of mine -- in fact, the latest one I'm working on. If you don't believe in yourself that much, you shouldn't be doing this.

But, of course, there are many books I like better than my own. My favorite is probably The Magus, by John Fowles, for its symbolism, psychology, and rich use of language. The man is a master.

What is your favourite genre and why?

I have to favorites here: mystery and science fiction. Life is a wonderful mystery, and science is my religion. And, after all, what is science fiction, when you get right down to it, but a scientific mystery.

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

Fowles (mainstream), Lawrence Block (mystery), Robert Silverberg (science fiction)

What do you think makes a writer successful?

There is only one thing that will make a writer sucessful -- hard work. Write, write, write. Write every second you get. You've seen all those books out there by no-talent writers. How did they get published? They got published because the writer worked until he had attained sufficient experience to make the book at least borderline sellable.

And once you're foot's in the door, don't let that door slam. Write more, much more.

Of course, talent wouldn't hurt, and would probably determine the degree of your success.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

Hard work. I write, write, write -- every second I get.

What are your goals as a writer?

To entertain, and to make a decent living doing just that.

I have no illusions that what I produce is art, or even borderline literature. It is entertainment. And if I can hold a readers interest through the book, and give him or her a few hours of enjoyment -- great. I've accomplished what I set out to do.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

I've said it twice already: Write, write, write. Every second you get, write. Then write more. Only through practice will it become natural, and will you attain some skill at it.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

See above. I want to entertain them for a few hours. If you do that with a book or short story, they will come back for more of the same.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

Writers Market Online (fully and continuously updated writing markets of all kinds)
www.writersmarket.com

SpecFicMe! Market Newsletter (published 6 times a year by SpecFicWorld.com, it has markets you won't find anywhere else.
www.specficworld.com

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

Most of my currently available work can be purchased through my website at www.acellis.net.

I'm particularly proud of my sf novel Worldmaker. It was reprinted in Germany, and has sense been optioned by an independant Los Angeles film producer. Maybe, some day....

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

I used to give the glib answer -- nine months, just like a baby. But that's not true. Each book is different. Actually, the one I'm working on now has taken several years. I keep coming back to it. And this time I think I've got it.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

I would have kept working on my fiction through my years with the telecommunications company. I had started a nice little career all those many years back, and I just let it go. That was stupid. Now, I'm trying to get back into it, and I have to regain the momentum. Like physics and human relationships, there is inertia involved.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

The publishing world is not a forgiving arena. If your first or second book don't sell like the publishers think it should, you won't get another chance. Or, at the very least, it will be harder to sell the next one.

And they all talk to each other, so they know who isn't selling well.

So make sure your work is the best it can possibly be before you market it to publishers or agents.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

First, like I said before, write, write, write.

Second, get an agent. They're well worth the 15 - 20% they'll take. They'll get you more money, and the reputable ones don't take their cut unless they sell your work.

Third, If you don't enjoy the process of writing, do something else. Become a plumber, bricklayer, or even a lawyer. None of these have to work with words (although the lawyer would lie to you and tell you differently).

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

It's entertainment. Enjoy it!

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