Today's guest is Welsh-born Andy Frankham-Allen, whose passion for writing began with a love of Doctor Who. After years of writing as a hobby, in 2001 he began an ongoing fan-fiction series called Doctor Who: The Legacy, which carried on until 2006. It is now being published by Frankallen Books through www.lulu.com under the umbrella title Legacy, in aid of Cancer Research UK. This led to professional Doctor Who short stories in Big Finish’s anthology series, Short Trips, from 2004 to 2009, and an audio drama for Noise Monster’s Space: 1889 series. In 2007 he created and co-edited a new eZine called Pantechnicon, for which he also wrote short stories and interviews.
Late 2010 saw Andy become a part of both Untreed Reads Publishing, and Hirst Publishing. Both companies published his début novel, Seeker (Book one in The Garden Quadrilogy) in March 2011. He has several short stories released through Untreed Reads, and he wrote the opening book and is the range editor of their new steampunk eBook series, Space: 1889 & Beyond.
Late 2010 saw Andy become a part of both Untreed Reads Publishing, and Hirst Publishing. Both companies published his début novel, Seeker (Book one in The Garden Quadrilogy) in March 2011. He has several short stories released through Untreed Reads, and he wrote the opening book and is the range editor of their new steampunk eBook series, Space: 1889 & Beyond.
Tell me about the Space: 1889 & Beyond series of books: how did they come about?
Space: 1889 was created as a Role Playing Game almost twenty-five years ago by Frank Chadwick and the Game Designers Worksop; it was, essentially, steampunk before that name was even coined. In the mid-2000s an audio production company called Noise Monster produced four audio plays based on the property, the final of which was co-written by me. Since 2006 I’ve had the idea for developing a series of Space: 1889 prose books, but it was only in 2010 and the interest Untreed Reads Publishing had in creating a steampunk series that the opportunity really presented itself. I was already an established author for the company, and had a way in with Frank, so when Jay Hartman (editor-in-chief at Untreed) told me he was looking to publish some steampunk books I suggested developing Space: 1889. I made first contact with Frank, explained to him my plans for the series, and introduced him to Jay and KD Sullivan (Untreed’s CEO). They worked out the license, and I was hired as series editor.
How would you describe your role as series editor?
It’s very involved! It’s best equated with the role of Show Runner on a TV series; I’m the one who develops the ongoing story, creates the main characters through who the story is told, and seeks out the creative team (authors, cover artist, cover designer). I am, basically, the creative force behind every element of the series. I work intimately with every aspect of the series. I work with the authors in developing their stories (which might involve simple suggestions, or it may involve a heavy shopping list of things to include), I commission the artwork for the covers, guiding David Burson in the direction I want each cover to take. And, of course, I edit every single line the authors write. Even then, it’s a very collaborative effort, and everyone gets their say; Jay, KD, the authors, and Frank. As much as I do, I’ll never take full credit since the books are not written in a vacuum. We succeed and fail as a team. And, I’m very glad to say, we’re mostly succeeding, with each book currently riding high in Untreed Reads’ top ten best-sellers list (five months the series has dominated that list!).
The cover artwork for the books is stunning. How much importance do you put on a book cover?
Thank you! Covers are essential; even with eBooks it’s the cover that will attract the reader first. We’re an aesthetically-led people. A cover can make or break a book. How many times have your eyes drifted past a bad cover, for something more interesting? With this series, I was looking for a style that would be reminiscent of the kind of art you’d see on the cover of The Strand Magazine in the later 19th century, with a bit of Tintin thrown in there, and I think David captures that. Like every aspect of the series, the covers were a bit tentative at first, but they are improving in leaps and bounds. The latest cover, for A Prince of Mars, is simply superb! Possibly David’s best work yet.
Space: 1889 was created as a Role Playing Game almost twenty-five years ago by Frank Chadwick and the Game Designers Worksop; it was, essentially, steampunk before that name was even coined. In the mid-2000s an audio production company called Noise Monster produced four audio plays based on the property, the final of which was co-written by me. Since 2006 I’ve had the idea for developing a series of Space: 1889 prose books, but it was only in 2010 and the interest Untreed Reads Publishing had in creating a steampunk series that the opportunity really presented itself. I was already an established author for the company, and had a way in with Frank, so when Jay Hartman (editor-in-chief at Untreed) told me he was looking to publish some steampunk books I suggested developing Space: 1889. I made first contact with Frank, explained to him my plans for the series, and introduced him to Jay and KD Sullivan (Untreed’s CEO). They worked out the license, and I was hired as series editor.
How would you describe your role as series editor?
It’s very involved! It’s best equated with the role of Show Runner on a TV series; I’m the one who develops the ongoing story, creates the main characters through who the story is told, and seeks out the creative team (authors, cover artist, cover designer). I am, basically, the creative force behind every element of the series. I work intimately with every aspect of the series. I work with the authors in developing their stories (which might involve simple suggestions, or it may involve a heavy shopping list of things to include), I commission the artwork for the covers, guiding David Burson in the direction I want each cover to take. And, of course, I edit every single line the authors write. Even then, it’s a very collaborative effort, and everyone gets their say; Jay, KD, the authors, and Frank. As much as I do, I’ll never take full credit since the books are not written in a vacuum. We succeed and fail as a team. And, I’m very glad to say, we’re mostly succeeding, with each book currently riding high in Untreed Reads’ top ten best-sellers list (five months the series has dominated that list!).
The cover artwork for the books is stunning. How much importance do you put on a book cover?
Thank you! Covers are essential; even with eBooks it’s the cover that will attract the reader first. We’re an aesthetically-led people. A cover can make or break a book. How many times have your eyes drifted past a bad cover, for something more interesting? With this series, I was looking for a style that would be reminiscent of the kind of art you’d see on the cover of The Strand Magazine in the later 19th century, with a bit of Tintin thrown in there, and I think David captures that. Like every aspect of the series, the covers were a bit tentative at first, but they are improving in leaps and bounds. The latest cover, for A Prince of Mars, is simply superb! Possibly David’s best work yet.
What’s next in the series?
Just released is A Prince of Mars (conveniently, due to scheduling delays, it’s been published near the release of the new John Carter movie, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s A Princess of Mars – we couldn’t have planned that better, really!). This book is a very important release in three ways; #1, in the ongoing narrative, as it changes the live of both leads on a very visceral level; #2, it’s the first book set on Mars, which has always been the most developed world in the Space: 1889 universe and remains a firm fan favourite; and #3, it’s written by Frank Chadwick, the creator and owner of the property. (Interesting fact, I had always planned to have Frank pen a book at some point – opening series two – but our writers for story #5 fell through due to other commitments, so I called on Frank since I needed someone who would do Mars justice, and who better than the man who created the property? His intimate knowledge of Mars is evident on every page of the book, and really is a joy to read.)
Following that will be Dark Side of Luna, our epic series one finale. But more on that next time. :)
You’ve written a number of Doctor Who stories for Big Finish. How did you get involved in that?
The producer of Doctor Who (and let us not forget, in 2004, Big Finish was official Doctor Who), Gary Russell, became aware of me via mutual friends and several encounters at various conventions. I made a point of not discussing my desire to write for Big Finish, since I have always wanted to succeed on my own merit, not because I happen to know the right people. Anyway, in the event Gary did learn of my desire, and out of the blue I received an email from him asking me to submit some ideas for a forthcoming anthology he was editing – which became Short Trips: Repercussions. So while I was working on a few ideas (or ten!), I asked him at a pub meeting why he approached me, and he told me that this was my chance to make it or not. So, you know, no pressure there! The rest is history, as they say. Gary liked a few of my ideas, in particular the one that became The Dead Man’s Story, and after agreeing to make the gay lead straight (*head scratch*) I got commissioned. Which, curiously, lead to me getting to write for the Space: 1889 audio series and a further Gary Russell-edited anthology. It also led directly to my third and (thus far) final Big Finish commission, for the Short Trips: Snapshots anthology, edited by Joseph Lidster. Over a drink in a rather lovely wine-bar down Cardiff Bay, Joe asked me to submit an idea for his book because the way I handled The Dead Man’s Story was exactly the kind of thing he was looking for. Which was nice!
As a post script to my Big Finish career, I have to make mention of Re: Collection. Once they reached the end of their licence for Doctor Who short stories, Big Finish decided to publish a Best-Of book, collecting one story from each of the Short Trips anthologies, each picked by their respective editors as the best examples of the books in question. For Repercussions Gary chose my story – my first professional piece of published fiction. This is a big deal, and a proud moment. A lovely bit of icing on my own slice of Big Finish cake.
Just released is A Prince of Mars (conveniently, due to scheduling delays, it’s been published near the release of the new John Carter movie, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’s A Princess of Mars – we couldn’t have planned that better, really!). This book is a very important release in three ways; #1, in the ongoing narrative, as it changes the live of both leads on a very visceral level; #2, it’s the first book set on Mars, which has always been the most developed world in the Space: 1889 universe and remains a firm fan favourite; and #3, it’s written by Frank Chadwick, the creator and owner of the property. (Interesting fact, I had always planned to have Frank pen a book at some point – opening series two – but our writers for story #5 fell through due to other commitments, so I called on Frank since I needed someone who would do Mars justice, and who better than the man who created the property? His intimate knowledge of Mars is evident on every page of the book, and really is a joy to read.)
Following that will be Dark Side of Luna, our epic series one finale. But more on that next time. :)
You’ve written a number of Doctor Who stories for Big Finish. How did you get involved in that?
The producer of Doctor Who (and let us not forget, in 2004, Big Finish was official Doctor Who), Gary Russell, became aware of me via mutual friends and several encounters at various conventions. I made a point of not discussing my desire to write for Big Finish, since I have always wanted to succeed on my own merit, not because I happen to know the right people. Anyway, in the event Gary did learn of my desire, and out of the blue I received an email from him asking me to submit some ideas for a forthcoming anthology he was editing – which became Short Trips: Repercussions. So while I was working on a few ideas (or ten!), I asked him at a pub meeting why he approached me, and he told me that this was my chance to make it or not. So, you know, no pressure there! The rest is history, as they say. Gary liked a few of my ideas, in particular the one that became The Dead Man’s Story, and after agreeing to make the gay lead straight (*head scratch*) I got commissioned. Which, curiously, lead to me getting to write for the Space: 1889 audio series and a further Gary Russell-edited anthology. It also led directly to my third and (thus far) final Big Finish commission, for the Short Trips: Snapshots anthology, edited by Joseph Lidster. Over a drink in a rather lovely wine-bar down Cardiff Bay, Joe asked me to submit an idea for his book because the way I handled The Dead Man’s Story was exactly the kind of thing he was looking for. Which was nice!
As a post script to my Big Finish career, I have to make mention of Re: Collection. Once they reached the end of their licence for Doctor Who short stories, Big Finish decided to publish a Best-Of book, collecting one story from each of the Short Trips anthologies, each picked by their respective editors as the best examples of the books in question. For Repercussions Gary chose my story – my first professional piece of published fiction. This is a big deal, and a proud moment. A lovely bit of icing on my own slice of Big Finish cake.
Tell me about The Garden Quadrilogy.
The Garden is my magnum opus – not to demean my other works, of course, but this is the one series that is wholly me. It’s a series of four novels (and novella interludes) that tells the epic story of Willem Townsend and Samuel Mayal. It’s a series that delves into various mythologies, that deals head-on with several issues that obsess today’s culture (sexual identity, the concept of karma, the disillusionment of young people in the UK). It has variously been labelled as a gay series, a vampire series, a supernatural series, but none of these labels are strictly accurate. It’s very much a cross-genre series, blending all my favourite genres into one melting pool. There’s a supernatural aspect, a mythological aspect, a thriller aspect, real world drama ... The whole lot! And some change. And yes, there are gay characters in it, but then there are also straight characters in it. Indeed, by virtue of the nature of the upyr (my take on vampires) immortality, the concept of sexuality is challenged.
I should point out, trying to do something new and original with vampires is no easy task. But I think I’ve achieved that to some extent, by going back into some rather obscure vampire lore and building on that. In so doing, I’ve pretty much swept away most, if not all, contemporary vampire conventions. Of course, the irony in labelling The Garden a vampire series is that, when book two is released, it will become very clear that the upyr are but a small part of much bigger mythology. But that’s a while away yet, since I’ve yet to finish writing book two – although I do have a publisher interested in picking up the rights to the series. In the meantime, book one (Seeker) is only available as an eBook from Untreed Reads; although there are a very limited number of paperback copies available from The Comic Guru in Cardiff.
What's your favourite part of the creative process?
In truth pretty much all of it. I love coming up with the initial ideas, and developing them. I love the actual writing, since it’s only then that the characters start to breathe and determine the true course of the story.
What’s next for you?
Right now, although it’s paused in favour of answering these questions, I’m writing Conspiracy of Silence with Frank Chadwick, which will be the novel that opens the second series of Space: 1889 & Beyond. This will be a series defining book, which is unsurprising since it’s being written by the series editor and the property creator. Following that I’ll be moving straight onto Cast from the Heavens, a novel in the Scattered Earth series from Crossroad Press. That novel will be a nice departure, since I’ve never really written fantasy before, plus I’m hoping to channel a lot of Celtic mythology in the writing, which will be much fun. Loads of research for me there!
Hmm, what else is coming up? Obviously I’ll be working heavily on all aspects of Space: 1889 & Beyond series two (some brilliant stories coming up!), and later in the year, all things being equal, I shall be working on a non-fiction Doctor Who book.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
A few ways. You can find me on Facebook, on Twitter (@FrankhamAllen), my Welsh-Londoner blog and, possibly by the time this interview is released, on YouTube with my new vlog.
The Garden is my magnum opus – not to demean my other works, of course, but this is the one series that is wholly me. It’s a series of four novels (and novella interludes) that tells the epic story of Willem Townsend and Samuel Mayal. It’s a series that delves into various mythologies, that deals head-on with several issues that obsess today’s culture (sexual identity, the concept of karma, the disillusionment of young people in the UK). It has variously been labelled as a gay series, a vampire series, a supernatural series, but none of these labels are strictly accurate. It’s very much a cross-genre series, blending all my favourite genres into one melting pool. There’s a supernatural aspect, a mythological aspect, a thriller aspect, real world drama ... The whole lot! And some change. And yes, there are gay characters in it, but then there are also straight characters in it. Indeed, by virtue of the nature of the upyr (my take on vampires) immortality, the concept of sexuality is challenged.
I should point out, trying to do something new and original with vampires is no easy task. But I think I’ve achieved that to some extent, by going back into some rather obscure vampire lore and building on that. In so doing, I’ve pretty much swept away most, if not all, contemporary vampire conventions. Of course, the irony in labelling The Garden a vampire series is that, when book two is released, it will become very clear that the upyr are but a small part of much bigger mythology. But that’s a while away yet, since I’ve yet to finish writing book two – although I do have a publisher interested in picking up the rights to the series. In the meantime, book one (Seeker) is only available as an eBook from Untreed Reads; although there are a very limited number of paperback copies available from The Comic Guru in Cardiff.
What's your favourite part of the creative process?
In truth pretty much all of it. I love coming up with the initial ideas, and developing them. I love the actual writing, since it’s only then that the characters start to breathe and determine the true course of the story.
What’s next for you?
Right now, although it’s paused in favour of answering these questions, I’m writing Conspiracy of Silence with Frank Chadwick, which will be the novel that opens the second series of Space: 1889 & Beyond. This will be a series defining book, which is unsurprising since it’s being written by the series editor and the property creator. Following that I’ll be moving straight onto Cast from the Heavens, a novel in the Scattered Earth series from Crossroad Press. That novel will be a nice departure, since I’ve never really written fantasy before, plus I’m hoping to channel a lot of Celtic mythology in the writing, which will be much fun. Loads of research for me there!
Hmm, what else is coming up? Obviously I’ll be working heavily on all aspects of Space: 1889 & Beyond series two (some brilliant stories coming up!), and later in the year, all things being equal, I shall be working on a non-fiction Doctor Who book.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
A few ways. You can find me on Facebook, on Twitter (@FrankhamAllen), my Welsh-Londoner blog and, possibly by the time this interview is released, on YouTube with my new vlog.
What are you reading now?
I’m on book four of The Alera Codex by Jim Butcher. As I’ve mentioned, fantasy have never really been a big thing for me, but last year I decided I wanted to read something a little different, so I picked up The Furies of Calderon and seriously got hooked. I’ve now only two books left to read in that series. And it’s Jim Butcher’s work there that inspired to write a bit of fantasy next. Don’t know if Cast from the Heavens will be as clever and inventive as Butcher’s work, but I’ll give it my best shot.
Other than writing/being published, do you have a claim to fame?
Quite a few. But for the sake of this interview, my claim to fame will be Charlie Condou. British readers who are familiar with Coronation Street will recognise his name as the actor who plays Marcus, the midwife boyfriend of Anthony Cotton’s character (the name of whom escapes me). Charlie and I went to the same high school, and occasionally attended the same drama class. It’s brilliant seeing how he’s married his commercial success with his personal success; a fantastic actor (check him out – he’s been in a wide variety of shows, including a fantastic role in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme), who’s openly gay, in a long-term relationship, and has fathered two children. In so many ways he’s quite an inspiration and has my total respect.
What would your epitaph be?
Now that’s a tough one. Let me see... Actually, yeah, I’ll paraphrase a line from Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse; “He always tried to be his best.”
I’m on book four of The Alera Codex by Jim Butcher. As I’ve mentioned, fantasy have never really been a big thing for me, but last year I decided I wanted to read something a little different, so I picked up The Furies of Calderon and seriously got hooked. I’ve now only two books left to read in that series. And it’s Jim Butcher’s work there that inspired to write a bit of fantasy next. Don’t know if Cast from the Heavens will be as clever and inventive as Butcher’s work, but I’ll give it my best shot.
Other than writing/being published, do you have a claim to fame?
Quite a few. But for the sake of this interview, my claim to fame will be Charlie Condou. British readers who are familiar with Coronation Street will recognise his name as the actor who plays Marcus, the midwife boyfriend of Anthony Cotton’s character (the name of whom escapes me). Charlie and I went to the same high school, and occasionally attended the same drama class. It’s brilliant seeing how he’s married his commercial success with his personal success; a fantastic actor (check him out – he’s been in a wide variety of shows, including a fantastic role in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme), who’s openly gay, in a long-term relationship, and has fathered two children. In so many ways he’s quite an inspiration and has my total respect.
What would your epitaph be?
Now that’s a tough one. Let me see... Actually, yeah, I’ll paraphrase a line from Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse; “He always tried to be his best.”
Thanks, Andy, for a fantastic Q&A.
Andy's books are available from a variety of sources including Untreed Reads, Lulu, and Amazon in the UK and the US.
And an advance notice that Serere (The Garden Prelude) will be free on March 8th for one day only from Untreed Reads.
Andy's books are available from a variety of sources including Untreed Reads, Lulu, and Amazon in the UK and the US.
And an advance notice that Serere (The Garden Prelude) will be free on March 8th for one day only from Untreed Reads.
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