Sci-fi author Keith ‘K.A.’ Kenny joins me today to chat about his new novel, The Starflower. The story is set so far in the future some of it may read like fantasy, e.g., fantastic aliens and technology. There are also strong romance and thriller threads and many mysteries to be uncovered, too!
Bio:
K.A. Kenny is a life-long spinner of curious tales—with friends around the dinner table and campfire, or across the bar. He marches to the sound of the guns, often where others cannot imagine going. After a long career in technical writing and intelligence analysis, K.A. turned to the serious work of speculative fiction. His short stories may be found in e-zines: Of Metal and Magic, Altered Reality, Bewildering Stories, Across the Margin, and on his blog Strange Things Done. THE STARFLOWER is his first novel of a planned trilogy; the sequel AGENT OF BLUE STAR is in progress. Mr. Kenny lives with his wife and two large dogs in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
Welcome, K.A. Please tell us about your current release.
Not much celebration. My publisher Austin Macauley informed me that the book was released. I informed my three writing groups and several writer friends. I’ve given a couple dozen readings and a couple talks on my book, how I came to writing, and my struggle to find a publisher. This past year I’ve had a table at our local Farmer’s Market to sell and talk about my book, SF, all manner of literary topic. We are near the Wintergreen resort area, and this is a highly literate community with many weekend tourists.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve been a storyteller all my life, usually short stories. An instructor reviewing one of my shorts said it should be a novel. Once I heard that, my characters wouldn’t let me sleep until I brought them to life.
Excerpt from The Starflower:
What’s Next You Ask?
Malik flipped through the headlines without speaking. Her office was perfect for interrogation: austere, snow-white, windowless walls, angular, black-upholstered furniture. Glare from the overhead burned Abramyan’s eyes. Despite his formal uniform and sweat-beaded face, he felt naked and cold. He knew what Malik would ask, and he had no answer.
“How did you let this happen?” she shouted, throwing up her arms. “You told me Zimmon would never be put in any combat zone. Sidelined, you said.”
Her gnarled, brown-mottled finger poked from her black sleeve at the projection. WAR ENDS – STARFLOWER VICTORIOUS! She flicked to the next headline: STARFLOWER ENDS WAR! Then the next: STARFLOWER BLOOMS! “Who authorized Zimmon to end the war?” Malik’s robe flared like an angry cobra hood.
“And this, AAAArrr.” She raked skeletal palms down her face then pulled up the next projection. The classified transmission indicated that, without authorization, military units had gone on alert and prepared to head to Bai-Yota in support of Five Squadron. “Our battle fleet supported her,” Malik screamed. “We were very, very lucky this didn’t go further.”
Abramyan had read the traffic. Each condemnation came like a twisting spear thrust. Jen Djada, the only other Councilor in the room, sat quietly by the door.
Malik spoke to Abramyan’s stone silence. “What’s next you ask?”
Abramyan couldn’t help blurting, “Lord Malik, Bai-Yota was a surprise. I didn’t, Zimmon didn’t, HELL, the Aldrakin didn’t know. They thought they’d catch us—”
“Excuses? Now you make excuses?” Malik gripped the edge of her desk with shaking, predator talons. “I’ll tell you what’s next. We get rid of her. That’s all, just get rid of her. We do it clean, we do it quiet, but we get rid of her. Soon as she reaches Corydon, you know those Under-lovers will be all over her…and Creatives, a lot of Creatives see her as some sort of righteous underdog.”
Abramyan trembled like a child caught in a snowstorm. Behind him, Djada’s jaws flexed.
Malik blew a long breath. “We can’t afford an uprising. Not now, not this close. Some of us are already in transition.” She examined her cadaverous hand then pointed toward Djada. “You still have contacts with the Rii-Chaut? They hate us but love our money.”
“I’ll tell the Yazza Hetman we have more business for him.” Djada’s self-assured demeanor unnerved Abramyan. “Ojai Khan staged the incidents that started the war. He can be discreet. When do you want it to happen?”
“Ojai Khan, yes, that went well.” Malik clapped her hands silently then pointed. “And when you see Khan, tell him I’m angry about the Silkani raid. That base was off limits. We say where to and where not to attack.” Djada gave a leaning bow from her chair.
“As to the when question. Don’t have Khan kill Zimmon too soon. That would raise suspicion. We don’t want to make this little Starflower girl into a martyr.” She tapped a finger on the desk. “Let’s be positive. Unders love the Starflower. We love the Starflower, too.
What exciting project are you working on next?
I continue to write short stories, but my main project is Agent of Blue Star, the sequel to The Starflower.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I came from a family of storytellers, but I didn’t write my first speculative story until 2nd grade… shortly after I learned to write.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write constantly, either in front of my workstation or in my head. Also in my sleep when my characters come calling. I draw inspiration from other sf and also from science and history. One reader comment on my reengage group, the Rii-Chaut, being futuristic Cossacks. I love planting links for informed readers.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I talk to my characters while I write. I also like a glass of Merlot beside me, and I don’t drink it until my session is finished.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fighter pilot at first, like my dad. Then for a long time I wanted to be a marine biologist… credit Jacques Cousteau for that. But the future vision of FORBIDDEN PLANET haunted me and pulled me in that direction.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
The creative adult is the child who survived.