Cosmic Convocation, Starry Eyed Press’ first official space opera anthology features a story called Grudge Match that serves as a futuristic incarnation of the literary classic Moby Dick.
We had a chance to sit down with its author Robert Allen Lupton to get the scoop on what inspired the tale.
Robert is an avid runner. As of January 2022, he’s run for 1000 consecutive days. He’s also a balloon pilot. Robert wrote operations, homeowner, and training manuals before turning his had to fiction in 2017. Over 180 of his stories have been published. He also writes a daily drabble about the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs and non-fiction articles about Burroughs. Almost 1500 of those are available at www.erbzine.com
Tell us a bit about Grudge Match. What can readers expect?
The story features a strong female lead obsessed with destroying her adversary to the extent that she disregards the safety of her crew and ship.
What was the inspiration behind this story?
Moby Dick with a little touch of Les Miserables, Great Expectations, and a hint of Frankenstein.
What sci-fi books have you recently been reading and which titles represent your long-time favorites?
Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. My all-time favorites are the Pellucidar and Barsoom books by Edgar Rice Burroughs and anything by Robert E. Heinlein or Fredric Brown.
What are your favorite genres to write in, and are they different from the ones you read? Do you have preferences when it comes to story length?
I read fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, and adventure. I like to write all five. Short stories from 3000 to 5000 words are what I write the most of because those are what editors seem to want though some of my favorite stories of my own creation run about 10,000 words.
I have three published novels as well. Novels are fun, but the time commitment is tough. I have another three that are about half finished, but I keep getting distracted by those shiny short stories.
Tell us more about your writing process.
I run and write every day. In the summer, I run first about sunrise and then write until noon. In the winter, I write until ten AM and then run. I write short stories without a written plot (pantser). I plot anything longer than 5000 words.
I research as much as required. Sometimes none and sometimes quite extensive. My 10,000 word horror story, “Dark Cloud Over Ladysmith,” takes place during the siege of Ladysmith during the Boar Wars. My research notes are often longer than the story.
How do you promote your writing, and what marketing strategies and tools have worked for you? Which platforms would you recommend to fellow authors?
I do a horrible job with this. I do daily posts on Facebook that now reach over 1000 readers, but I can’t see that it helps all that much. Twitter and Blogs haven’t produced measurable results. I’m probably like most writers – I need help here.
Where can our readers find more of your works?
https://www.erbzine.com/lupton/
https://robertallenlupton.blogspot.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Allen-Lupton/e/B01GW77JY4
Ebook and illustrated paperback available here.
Starry Eyed Press 