Today, as the final stop to the Particle Horizon Tour, I have an interview with author Selso Xisto.
Selso Xisto graduated from King's College London longer ago than seems possible, and went on to work in kid's TV for over ten years making promos for Disney and Cartoon Network. Perhaps as an antidote he writes gritty, epic science fiction; forever his first love.
Surviving his ongoing obsession with fast motorbikes and flirtation with the underrated virtual worlds of videogames, he somehow found time to put to paper his long-gestating scifi epic. Influenced by the great space opera of Peter F Hamilton and Yokinobu Hoshino, as well as a lifetime of digesting the classics of Greg Bear and Arthur C Clarke, he lives and breathes SciFi in all its forms.
He lives in London with his wife and cat. Though the cat would phrase that quite differently.
Selso Xisto graduated from King's College London longer ago than seems possible, and went on to work in kid's TV for over ten years making promos for Disney and Cartoon Network. Perhaps as an antidote he writes gritty, epic science fiction; forever his first love.
Surviving his ongoing obsession with fast motorbikes and flirtation with the underrated virtual worlds of videogames, he somehow found time to put to paper his long-gestating scifi epic. Influenced by the great space opera of Peter F Hamilton and Yokinobu Hoshino, as well as a lifetime of digesting the classics of Greg Bear and Arthur C Clarke, he lives and breathes SciFi in all its forms.
He lives in London with his wife and cat. Though the cat would phrase that quite differently.
Tell us a little about yourself, Selso.
I grew up obsessed with science fiction and read all the classics. Lacking the self-confidence to make a career of my writing, I worked for over 10 years in TV instead making promos for Disney and Cartoon Network; it’s a lot of fun and helps scratch the creative itch. The time eventually came though, that I had to scratch a lot harder, so my book is finally here!
Tell us about your book, Particle Horizon?
It deals with big questions of faith, what it is to be human and even the origin of the universe, but above all, I believe it’s a good old-fashioned adventure. It’s an ensemble piece, telling the story of a galactic conflict coming to a head from the points of view of three very different main characters.
Who do you think Particle Horizon would appeal to?
Anyone remotely like me! I tried my best to write my own favorite novel and included all the scenarios and characters and themes that pushed all my buttons. I’ve read and loved amazing writers like Peter F Hamilton, Greg Bear, Arthur C Clarke, Yokinobu Hoshino and many more, so I think I’ve been greatly influenced by them. If you like their work, there’s a good chance you’ll like mine.
Having said that, very early on I made a conscious decision to write a compelling story that would appeal to any reader of pretty much any genre. As much as I love Sci-Fi, it can often be heavily laden with quite alienating jargon and themes that can stop a lot of smart, tasteful people from enjoying these great stories. I hoped that my character-based story would appeal to anyone; whether I’ve succeeded or not, is for my readers to say!
Who is your favorite main character? Why?
I’d have to say Aja. In many ways, she has the least say in the grand outcome and events of the story, but I think she’s very much the ‘normal’ person caught up in the whirlwind of events around her. She doesn’t want to be there, she just wants to survive. She’s the one most readers would most easily associate with. She’s also a badass! Tough and not to be messed with, she’ll fight tooth and nail to protect her secret! I’m not telling you what that is though…
What literary character outside of Particle Horizon would Aja be friends with? Why?
Hmm… that’s a tough one. I think she’d probably stay far away from anyone involved in epic adventures or dangerous quests! She just wants to live her quiet life somewhere peaceful, allowed to believe in her own faith. She’d likely want to hang out with someone from a totally different and peaceful genre!
Who are some of your favorite authors?
The authors I named before! In particular Yokinobu Hoshino; he wrote an amazing manga series called ‘2001 nights’ which so few people have heard of and it makes me sad that every sci-fi fan in the world doesn’t have his collection on their shelves. Apart from the beautiful, stark artwork, he writes such haunting, epic stories; like Arthur C Clarke in a more modern tone.
What do you like to do when you aren't working or writing?
I must confess to having a love of videogames! I think non-gamers are really missing out on some of the most gorgeous and fascinating virtual worlds imagined. A good game like Bioshock or Halo can really transport you into a world that simply couldn’t be conjured up in a book or film. A solid, three-dimensional world you get to walk around in and explore, and some great, great stories too.
I grew up obsessed with science fiction and read all the classics. Lacking the self-confidence to make a career of my writing, I worked for over 10 years in TV instead making promos for Disney and Cartoon Network; it’s a lot of fun and helps scratch the creative itch. The time eventually came though, that I had to scratch a lot harder, so my book is finally here!
Tell us about your book, Particle Horizon?
It deals with big questions of faith, what it is to be human and even the origin of the universe, but above all, I believe it’s a good old-fashioned adventure. It’s an ensemble piece, telling the story of a galactic conflict coming to a head from the points of view of three very different main characters.
Who do you think Particle Horizon would appeal to?
Anyone remotely like me! I tried my best to write my own favorite novel and included all the scenarios and characters and themes that pushed all my buttons. I’ve read and loved amazing writers like Peter F Hamilton, Greg Bear, Arthur C Clarke, Yokinobu Hoshino and many more, so I think I’ve been greatly influenced by them. If you like their work, there’s a good chance you’ll like mine.
Having said that, very early on I made a conscious decision to write a compelling story that would appeal to any reader of pretty much any genre. As much as I love Sci-Fi, it can often be heavily laden with quite alienating jargon and themes that can stop a lot of smart, tasteful people from enjoying these great stories. I hoped that my character-based story would appeal to anyone; whether I’ve succeeded or not, is for my readers to say!
Who is your favorite main character? Why?
I’d have to say Aja. In many ways, she has the least say in the grand outcome and events of the story, but I think she’s very much the ‘normal’ person caught up in the whirlwind of events around her. She doesn’t want to be there, she just wants to survive. She’s the one most readers would most easily associate with. She’s also a badass! Tough and not to be messed with, she’ll fight tooth and nail to protect her secret! I’m not telling you what that is though…
What literary character outside of Particle Horizon would Aja be friends with? Why?
Hmm… that’s a tough one. I think she’d probably stay far away from anyone involved in epic adventures or dangerous quests! She just wants to live her quiet life somewhere peaceful, allowed to believe in her own faith. She’d likely want to hang out with someone from a totally different and peaceful genre!
Who are some of your favorite authors?
The authors I named before! In particular Yokinobu Hoshino; he wrote an amazing manga series called ‘2001 nights’ which so few people have heard of and it makes me sad that every sci-fi fan in the world doesn’t have his collection on their shelves. Apart from the beautiful, stark artwork, he writes such haunting, epic stories; like Arthur C Clarke in a more modern tone.
What do you like to do when you aren't working or writing?
I must confess to having a love of videogames! I think non-gamers are really missing out on some of the most gorgeous and fascinating virtual worlds imagined. A good game like Bioshock or Halo can really transport you into a world that simply couldn’t be conjured up in a book or film. A solid, three-dimensional world you get to walk around in and explore, and some great, great stories too.
About the novel:
From the blood and dust of New Jerusalem, the Legion of the LightBringer wages a galactic war against those who would replace their god. Now, the time has come for the Union of Free Worlds to make a stand. The front line is the idyllic asteroid world of Angelhaven, where the greatest mind in human history has discovered an elemental power with far-reaching implications. A power that both sides will do anything to harness.
Marine commander Gomes leads the crack Union task force. An unrelenting warrior driven by revenge and a need for answers, he hides a strange ability neither science nor religion can explain.
On the other side of the war, Aja is forced to fight for a cause she doesn't believe in to protect her own secret.
Caught between them is Una, a living machine who battles for her humanity as her world falls apart.
Outnumbered ten to one and stalked by a mysterious nemesis, all three will play a role in unraveling Angelhaven's enigma.
As the Legion invasion begins, unknown eyes watch with interest...
To finish off the tour with a bang, Selso Xisto is offering his debut novel, Particle Horizon, for free on Kindle during July 4th, 5th, and 6th. Click here to get your copy. Thanks so much for stopping by!
From the blood and dust of New Jerusalem, the Legion of the LightBringer wages a galactic war against those who would replace their god. Now, the time has come for the Union of Free Worlds to make a stand. The front line is the idyllic asteroid world of Angelhaven, where the greatest mind in human history has discovered an elemental power with far-reaching implications. A power that both sides will do anything to harness.
Marine commander Gomes leads the crack Union task force. An unrelenting warrior driven by revenge and a need for answers, he hides a strange ability neither science nor religion can explain.
On the other side of the war, Aja is forced to fight for a cause she doesn't believe in to protect her own secret.
Caught between them is Una, a living machine who battles for her humanity as her world falls apart.
Outnumbered ten to one and stalked by a mysterious nemesis, all three will play a role in unraveling Angelhaven's enigma.
As the Legion invasion begins, unknown eyes watch with interest...
To finish off the tour with a bang, Selso Xisto is offering his debut novel, Particle Horizon, for free on Kindle during July 4th, 5th, and 6th. Click here to get your copy. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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