Interview with sci-fi author Tom Haward

Sci-fi author Tom Haward chats with me about his latest novel, The Path of Redemption.

During his virtual book tour, Tom will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Tom was born in Essex and he has an identical twin. He lives with his wife, Gemma, and they have a little girl and a cockapoo. Tom has an MA in Creative Writing and The Path of Chaos (Cinnabar Moth Publishing) is his debut novel. The Path of Redemption is the third book in his Chaos trilogy.

Welcome, Tom. Please tell us about your current release.
The Path of Redemption is the final novel in a trilogy I have written over the past four years. It’s the finale to a series that’s been exploring the alternate history of the Roman Empire still ruling the world today. It’s imagining if a Caesar still had the power to crucify people in the year 2030 and beyond and instead of horses and chariots, everything was hydrogen powered and you didn’t queue to watch a crucifixion, you live streamed it.

What inspired you to write this book?
I decided to study a Masters in Creative Writing after trying to kill myself. I had always wanted to study a Masters and believed I had the intelligence to do it. After what happened to me, I knew it was a thing I should explore so applied and was overjoyed to be accepted. During the MA I had an idea about a world where the Romans still ruled so decided to run with it and after my MA was honoured that Cinnabar Moth signed me up.

Excerpt from The Path of Redemption:
Maverick was told that the fight was a global spectacle, so to ensure it stayed that way and to go easy on Francesco, to prolong the fight and therefore the coverage, Maverick was also reminded that the man he was fighting was an amateur and under no circumstances was he to kill him. Maverick thought about how he had been dragged from his family home to become a gladiator, tortured by one of the most deprived men in existence in the hellscape of Aestii and then paraded around the world like an object. He decided the powers that be could go fuck themselves and he would fight as he wanted to. For poor Francesco, that was a mixed outcome. The negative was that within thirty seconds of trying to show off his newly acquired sword skills he was skewered with Maverick’s, but the positive was that he died so quickly he didn’t feel any disappointment in his debut gladiator performance.

Marcus had watched in horror as his dad was butchered, and he nurtured that horror for years and years so that it became pure hatred for the man that murdered his father.

What exciting project are you working on next?
After writing three novels based around dystopia I have started writing a family melodrama. It’s completely different to my previous works, but I believe it is the most powerful.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was twelve I remember my English teacher being impressed by my imagination. It cemented in me that I was a writer. It was only a few comments on my writing skills but it was enough to inspire me to write and write with purpose. That’s what’s wonderful about always encouraging others: you never know what impact your words may have.

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 don’t write full-time as I am a full-time oyster farmer. I run a business which employs twenty people so I spend my days running a very busy operation. I have always found my time to write in the evening when our daughter has gone to bed and my wife encourages me to go and find a good space to write. My wife has always been a fantastic encourager of what I do and also a wonderful motivator. When I’m tried after work and don’t think I have the creativity in me, my wife gives me the boost I need to keep on.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I cannot write in silence. I need noise and people around me to inspire me. My best writing comes from when I am in a busy place with people talking around me.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I have always wanted to be a writer. I didn’t know if it was possible and believed it was one of those silly dreams, but being a writer has ways been my goal.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If you read a book, post a review. Even if it’s simply a star rating. Ratings and reviews are the lifeblood for authors. It means the world to writers everywhere to receive a rating or review.

Links:
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