An Interview With Sci-Fi Fantasy Writer Alexis Ames.
Today we learn more about the speculative fiction author with works in publications like Pseudopod, Radon Journal, and more!
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Alexis Ames is a speculative fiction writer with works in publications such as Pseudopod, Radon Journal, and Escape Pod. THE CHAMOS PROJECT is their first novel.
If you’d like to support Alexis and her work, consider subscribing to their newsletter or following her Instagram. And now, without further ado, it’s time to jump into today’s author interview!
Below are some questions Alexis answered for this Spotlight.
What drew you to writing, and what has your journey with the craft been like so far?
I've been writing stories since I was a child. I can't remember not writing, honestly! I started out writing original fiction, but I also spent my teenage years writing fanfiction, and I grew so much as a writer that way. In college, I turned my focus back to writing short stories and novels with the intention of someday getting published. I've been fortunate enough to have over 40 published short stories, and The Chamos Project is my first novel!
If you had to pick one, which of your stories was your favorite to write and why?.
The Chamos Project is the book of my heart and my absolute favorite story so far. I lived and breathed the story for almost 13 years before it was published, and I'm so attached to all of the characters. They are exactly what I've always wanted to see in scifi: queer characters going on adventures in space, and stories that didn't center around their queerness. I would love to return to the world someday, either by publishing its sequels or writing some short stories set in that universe.
And what was the most difficult part of getting your work published for the first time?
My first publications were short stories, not novels, and the most difficult part is finding the right magazines that match my writing style and the types of stories I write.
How would you describe your ideal writing set up?
I do most of my writing in my home office! I like having a designated space for writing, and having a proper desk and chair works well for me.
And do you have any book or story recommendations?
I always rec Natasha Pulley! Her books are an auto-buy for me, ever since I read The Watchmaker of Filigree Street.
The synopsis is pulled directly from their webpage.
Twenty years after an attack perpetrated by androids takes the lives of those closest to him, Doctor Leander Dade is living a reclusive life on Earth—until the Alliance Fleet recalls him back into service aboard the first extrasolar colonization vessel, Ariadne. Unable to refuse this order, Leander returns to space and finds himself serving alongside androids, whom he has never forgiven for the attack.
Tensions are high from the start, but when a mysterious accident strands Ariadne years away from aid, the ship’s crew and colonists—humans and androids alike—must band together for survival. Leander is forced to work with the very enemy who nearly cost him his life, and he soon finds himself falling for the last person he expected: Mac, the ship’s android chief engineer.
After a mutiny splits the ship in two, Mac comes to the realization that he alone can save the ship and everyone on it, and Leander faces an impossible choice: intervene, or allow Mac to risk his life and their love for each other.
Other Published Works:
The Last Affinity: “When disaster strikes the settlement, the timeline for humanity’s demise rapidly speeds up. While Cal knows he must send Renata on a mission she isn’t ready for, and which will likely kill her, he is torn between saving humanity’s past, present, and future, or the girl he’s come to see as a daughter.” Releases August 18th, pre-order today.
Well, it’s about time to wrap things up. Thanks everyone for reading, and once again — If you’d like to support Alexis and their future endeavors, make sure to subscribe to her newsletter or follow their Instagram! And thank you Alexis for extending us the opportunity to highlight you and your work! Buh-bye for now <3