Interview with Writer Alan Cole
Wednesday May 28th 1997 by Pesach Lattin
An Interview with Allan Cole
(November 19, 1943 — March 29, 2019
Sphere Fantasy: What inspires you in fantasy that you can not find in any other form of fiction?
Allan Cole: Fantasy is the literature of philosophy — of grand ideals tested by extraordinary events. Homer’s “Odyssey,” — arguably the world’s first novel — was a fantasy. As was Dante’s “Inferno,” and Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels.” Fantasy is the literature of oral tradition brought forward. Ancient tales told over the campfire that illuminate a past before the written word existed. What other form of literature has room enough for all these things? A universe of the word whose boundaries are limited only by imagination.
SF: Who are your favorite fantasy authors?
AC: My favorite modern fantasy writer is Ursula Le Guin. Her language is a delight, her ideas ever thought-provoking.
SF: Who are your favorite non-fantasy authors?
AC: The list this would make is too long to contemplate. The authors who have most influenced me, however, include Steinbeck, Poe, Mary Renault, Graham Greene, Heinlein, Bester and Nevil Shute. A complete essay on this subject canbe found on my homepage at www.acole.com
SF:How long did it take you to get published?
AC: I determined to become a writer at age five. However, I didn’t make a sustained effort until I was in my 30’s. For three years I wrote for thirty hours a week, five days a week, while holding down a full-time, extremely responsible job. In the summer of 1979 I sold my first novel (Sten) and first television screenplay (Quincy) in the same month. After that there was no looking back.
SF: Any words of advice for those desiring to be published?
AC: Tenacity is more important that talent. Don’t wait for the muse to strike you. Make a daily schedule and stick to it. Then write, write, write. And keep submitting until the walls come tumbling down.
SF: Are there any fantasy authors that you would compare yourself to?
AC: No. I am egotistical enough to believe myself unique.
SF: Fantasy has been seen by many as not being serious literature. Why do you think that is?
AC: There’s too much junk in the genre. Too many knock-offs, and shared worlds crowding the shelves of the bookstores. If the publishers aren’t careful they are going to do serious harm to the field. Like they did with science fiction, where a reader has to comb through hundreds of Star Trek and other movie novelisations to find a decent book.
SF: Did anything inspire you to write your newest book, Wizard Of The Winds?
AC: My childhood in the Middle East. Plus my life-long fascination with Omar Khayyam, the great Persian poet, and astronomer.
SF: Do you see the book as being different from your previous writings. If so, how?
AC: It’s not so different that it would disappoint my readers. Style, after all, is style. And the bottom-line theme of all my work is betrayal. Possibly because of my background as a CIA brat and my later experiences as a newsman. However,each book I write is quite different from the others.
SF: Were you satisfied with the cover of the book?
AC: No. I dislike the American cover. The cover British edition — titled “When The Gods Slept” — is much more to my liking.
SF: Where is the series going?
AC: If I answered that question, it would spoil the trilogy. (grin) It’ll be a big surprise, believe me.
SF How did the book do in England?
AC: My editor at Hodder-Staugton says it has been doing very well. The British Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club also bought it, so that was a big help. Early reports for the Russian edition have also been extremely favorable.
SF: Does anything help you write? (ie counting sheep, drugs, sleep)
A: I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me. (grin)
SF: Have you ever utilized any writing workshops?
AC: No.
SF: Any other books you can tell us about?
AC: I’m currently at work on “The Hate Parallax” — a book I’m writing with Nick Perumov, one of Russia’s best fantasy writers. This is first novel of any kind ever written by Russian and American collaborators.
SF: Which publisher have you liked working with the least?
AC: Again — I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate me. (double grin)
SF: How do you see the internet effecting the future of fantasy literature and literature in general?
AC: The best example I can use is “The Hate Parallax.” Nick lives in St. Petersburg. I live in New Mexico. We met on the net. And we are writing on the net. Despite the fact that we live thousands of miles apart and have only met once — in Moscow last year.
SF: How has your contact with fans been on the ‘net? Any memorable experiences?
AC: The whole experience has been fabulous. I’ve received thousands of e-mail messages from readers all over the world. That means instant input for an author. You get to see what works and what doesn’t immediately. It has been very inspiring, believe me. Some of my readers were so eloquent that I have posted their insights on my homepage.
SF: What has been your experience with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. (SFWA) Do you think this organization helps upcoming authors? Is there any organizations that you would reccomend?
AC: The SFWA is an absolute must for any professional SF and Fantasy author. As is the Author’s Guild, and the Writer’s Guild Of America, which is for screen writers. To do without the help and support of these organizations is to run naked through the Hells.
SF: Are there any reviewers who have given you a bad review that you think was totally unfair?
AC: I’ve been pretty lucky so far with reviewers. No complaints.
SF: Do you think that Fanzines will take over the traditional print magazines on the net?
AC: Yes.
SF: Are there any links on the Net that you wish to tell us about?
AC: There are too many excellent links to mention. Fantasy and SF came early to the web and has grown by leaps and bounds.
SF: Lastly, what do you think of Sphere Fantasy?
AC: A marvelous site that seems to get better each time I visit it.
