Future Thief - the interview
Future Thief - the interview
A book review and audio interview with Brian Reindel
Good afternoon, readers, writers and friends. This is my second podcast post with the inventive and prolific author Brian Reindel. Most of you will already know him from the Lunar Awards, and his own personal fiction, Substack, Future Thief, is always worth reading. Brian’s also made the leap to physical publishing with his short story collection “The Stars Will Fall,” and we discuss the challenges of producing a book on the podcast, especially whilst juggling salaried work and a family!
Due to technical difficulties, we had to restart the podcast, so the audio below is for the second part of the interview only. You can listen in or read the transcript in its entirety.
Author Interview: Brian Reindel
“My top tip? Write consistently and write often.”
Audio Highlights
0:01:23 - The publishing process for Amazon
0:15:11 - Lunar Awards with judges and rewards
0:23:43 - Brian’s motivation for success on Substack
The Juicy Details…
Enjoy a riveting discussion with our guest, Brian, a writer who shares his self-publishing process on Amazon. Listen in as he shares his journey, revealing how he navigated everything from creating his own cover art to managing his own typesetting. With the help of friends and an aim to break even financially, Brian has achieved more than he imagined. He stresses the importance of using your time wisely and maximising what you have.
Brian also shines a spotlight on the Substack community, highlighting his creation of the Luna Awards, a quarterly event where writers can submit their work to gain exposure. We also explore the world of fiction awards, touching on the influence of Neil Clark's Hugo Award and the subsequent creation of the Lunar Awards for Sub-stack writers. Brian shares his plans for the Lunar Awards, thoughts on the evolution of Substack and his overall opinion of the platform. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that is sure to inspire and motivate all aspiring authors out there.
Notes and transcript produced with the help of Podium. Recorded with Zencastr.
Book Review: The Stars Will Fall: A Collection of Fantasy and Science Fiction Short Stories
Rating: 4 stars.
For fans of: Firefly (TV series), Rivers of London (book series), Deep Space Five and Dune.
Why you will enjoy it…
Brian has a fresh and varied collection of stories with something for everyone. There are folktales, fables, spaceships and tentacles, with all the modern dilemmas of love, family, addiction, loss and sadness. Whilst there are a few dystopic tales (I recommend Knowledge is Power), the tone is laconic, upbeat and precise. Brian’s book is perfect for an hour before bed or during a car journey, with characters that linger in your mind long after you put the book down.
Why it will annoy you…
Short stories are a snapshot, and even the best writer has to leave things unresolved or unsaid. In some stories, you feel like an intruder, sidling in at the end. For others, you feel like you are at the beginning of the adventure - and then, Brian turns the page before you find out what happens next. It would be good to see Brian’s writing prowess extend over a full novel. While waiting for it to arrive, this compilation is an excellent taster menu.
Thanks for the opportunity, Natalie! I enjoyed our time together and look forward to more from Plotted Out.