Blog Archives
Imperialistic Expansion
Ore Wars thrusts humanity into a high-stakes battle for survival and diplomacy in a solar system where aliens and political ambitions challenge our place among the stars. What inspired the political and social parallels between the story and historical colonial struggles?
Firstly, I wanted to point out that we like to believe we may be alone in our solar system, but there may be seemingly unlikely places where intelligent alien creatures may be living in stealth, even though they might not have originated there. Secondly, aggressive imperialistic expansion driven by greed for wealth and power has not ended on Earth and is expanding into near space. When the means is developed to exploit the unfathomable wealth in metallic asteroids like Psyche, I think all hell will break loose between the superpowers on Earth.
How did you develop the unique voice of Blacky, and what does his character represent in the narrative?
Blacky is an intelligent alien spy who knows as much about his own people as Earth’s people. He has observed that the same proportion of good to bad people exists in both species. Blacky and his partner Jade are good people, and they believe that a lasting peace treaty can be negotiated between the good subsets of both species. They prove to be naive, and ultimately blackmail must be used to bring the two sides to the negotiating table. In that sense, the book may be a bit cynical. But the many wars on Earth I think support the notion that many of our human leaders are corrupt and driven by selfish greed. God help us all if we encounter an alien species with the same weakness.
What challenges did you face in balancing action with the novel’s rich political and cultural world-building?
I wanted to hold the reader’s interest without overloading them with the technical and political aspects, which are considerable. I attempted to develop characters that most people could relate to, based on their own life experiences. And the action scenes hopefully provide a bit of fun along the way.
When and where will the book be available?
The book is about to be published by Pegasus (UK), and will soon be available on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Ore Wars
Set in a not-so-distant future, Ore Wars invites readers into a thrilling narrative where humanity ventures beyond Earth to claim the riches of the solar system only to discover they’re not the first ones there. The alien occupants, protective of their territory, aren’t eager to share. What follows is a riveting tale of diplomacy and survival as a courageous team of explorers must navigate interstellar politics, alien cultures, and the brewing tensions back home to secure humanity’s place among the stars.
One of Ore Wars’ most distinctive features is its use of dialogue as a storytelling device. Conversations between characters not only drive the plot but also immerse readers in their world, providing insight into their motivations and the stakes at hand. While some sections, like Captain Aoki’s extended briefing, lean on exposition, the dialogue remains a vital and effective tool for world-building and narrative engagement.
At its core, Ore Wars is more than just a sci-fi adventure, it’s a gripping political thriller. The conflicts feel strikingly real, echoing historical power struggles and the challenges of empire-building. The story’s depiction of the United States and the United Nations competing with an alien power over valuable resources is eerily reminiscent of Earth’s own colonial past. This political drama is brilliantly framed by periodic newspaper-style interludes, which provide additional depth and context, grounding the interstellar stakes in themes that resonate with modern audiences.
The novel’s ensemble cast adds to its appeal, offering a diverse range of perspectives. While some characters could have been explored more deeply, their interactions and collective efforts bring a sense of camaraderie to the narrative. Among them, the cheerful alien Blacky stands out, adding charm and levity to the story. His presence underscores the potential for meaningful connections between species, even amidst conflict.
Ore Wars shines as an ambitious and thought-provoking novel. Its blend of political intrigue, realistic depictions of space travel, and timely commentary on human nature make it a standout in the sci-fi genre. Readers looking for a story that balances thrilling action with sharp social commentary will find much to enjoy in this interstellar epic.
Space-Based Umbrella
The Specter of Psyche follows an NYPD detective who is offered a job in space exploration that turns into a multi-murder investigation in space. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The primary activity in the story is solar-system space development or exploitation, not space exploration. The Psyche asteroid is real. NASA is about to send a probe there because the increasingly rare and essential metallic minerals potentially contained in the asteroid could be worth quadrillions of dollars…if the ore can be successfully and economically mined. I propose some food for thought on a possible mining method, one not without considerable risk and astronomical upfront investment. I never try to make light of technical challenges in my books. I try to explain them in layman’s terms. Perhaps I will lose a few viewers along the way. But I hope others will enjoy the ‘hard’ science and engineering, and perhaps build on my ideas. Because I think we could very well need to find a way to mine a metallic asteroid if we are to save and further evolve our industrial-based civilization.
When creating Detective Kelly Seamus, did you have a plan for development and character traits, or did it grow organically as you were writing the story?
I started out with a fair idea of the character of Seamus Kelly. He is a street-smart cop, but a highly intelligent guy with a big heart. He makes sincere friendships, and that helps him crack some tough cases in a very challenging environment.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book is the sequel to ZONT-2 and Beyond. It, too, was thought to be a bit too technical by a Literary Titan reviewer. But it proposes a design for a space-based umbrella for combatting climate change. And the challenges it details are just as daunting as those posed by trying to economically mine a metallic asteroid. And I hope that book will also be food for thought because unfortunately, it looks increasingly likely that we will need a space umbrella of some sort. To make technical aspects more digestible, if you will, I try to involve interesting but believable characters, with a few sidebars like a love story or a detective story.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, there will be a sequel to make a three-book series. Readers will note that intelligent aliens seem to also covet the mineral wealth in the Psyche asteroid. Who are they, and will they be willing to share? Stay tuned…
The Spectre of Psyche
Detective Kelly Seamus of the NYPD is suddenly thrust into a world of intrigue and adventure when he’s summoned by Inspector Rainero to meet the enigmatic Lord Fulham, CEO of Wardenclyffe Corporation. Chosen for his unique skills, Seamus is offered an opportunity to embark on a daring investigation in space, complete with the allure of a pay raise and promotion. The promise is too irresistible, and Kelly, unburdened by earthly ties, agrees to a four-year assignment that catapults him into the cosmos.
Aboard the spacecraft Psyche, Kelly navigates the complexities of interstellar travel and teamwork. Though quickly bonding with his fellow astronauts, he’s also subject to gentle ribbing as the new and unseasoned member of the crew. But the tone darkens when members of the team report ghostly apparitions, and two die under inexplicable conditions. Suddenly, Kelly’s mission pivots from space exploration to a harrowing investigation of three murders on an asteroid. Alongside unraveling the mystery, he also finds himself entangled in a complex relationship with Min Jun, adding a touch of romance to the unfolding drama.
Blair Wylie’s The Specter of Psyche skillfully weaves science fiction, action, romance, and crime into a captivating tapestry. Although the novel ventures into some dense scientific terrain that may challenge some readers, the allure of the extraterrestrial setting and the exploration of Kelly’s personal history from an orphan to a police detective add a significant layer of depth.
Despite a somewhat slow start, I found myself increasingly absorbed by the story, drawn in by the rich narrative. Though the extended discussions on physics and technology may not appeal to all, they do provide a rigorous backdrop to this otherwise fast-paced thriller.
With its engaging plot, well-crafted characters, and thoughtful exploration of space, The Specter of Psyche is an enthralling read for fans of space exploration and sci-fi thrillers. The novel’s balance of suspense, emotion, and intellectual rigor positions it as a must-read, providing both entertainment and insight into a world beyond our own.
Pages: 360
Space-based Mega Project
ZONT-2 and Beyond follows a Russian man who is trying to save the earth by building a solar shield but he needs help, and not everyone wants the project to succeed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
It’s probably clear to most informed people that governments have not done enough, and are not doing enough, to combat climate change. Many of these folks also see the growing number of obscenely wealthy oligarchs as being pure exploiters. The book is plea for some of these wealthy, non-government leaders to step forward and use their own initiative and creativity to attempt something really good to help save humanity and our fragile planet.
I found the science in the novel to be well developed. What kind of research did you do to make sure you got it all right?
I leaned heavily on my professional experiences as a 35 year oil and gas engineer and manager, and a space exploration buff. The internet helped fill in the rest. I may not have got it right. I hope technically savvy and informed readers will point out its faults… together with suggested fixes. Because… we may indeed need to build a space-based solar umbrella to get out of the dire fix we are in!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to give people some hope that all is not lost. We are ingenious creatures, and often all that is lacking is a passionate, capable leader to invigorate the right team and solve the most daunting of problems. I suggest that the social and geopolitical problems twenty years from now will be at least as worrisome as they are now. And… that there will be as many political problems as technical when embarking on a globe spanning and space-based mega project like this one. Toughness, broad-spectrum intelligence and perseverance will be essential for success.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Undecided, unfortunately. Another sci-fi adventure novel to go with my eight published books.
ZONT-2 and Beyond
Twenty years in the future, a Russian man named Timofey Semenov develops a solar shield to help lower the temperatures on Earth, intended to help with climate change. His structure is named ZONT-1, but before it could impact global temperatures, it is heavily damaged by a massive solar flare. But Timofey doesn’t give up. He forms alliances with men he’d rather ignore to bring his ZONT-2 project to life.
ZONT-2 and Beyond by Blair Wylie shows that despite someone’s best intentions, not everything goes the way you want. Hounded by terrorists, unrest, and global politics, Timofey, with his business partner and personal enemy, Alain Dufort, must work together to get the ZONT-2 project off the ground. They navigate personal problems, international alliances, enemies, and the occasional bombing to bring their vision to life. ZONT-2 and Beyond contains a large cast of characters in various political and influential positions; some are not who they seem.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It’s an abundantly complex book filled with technical details about space structures, scientific farming strategies, and geopolitics. Perhaps because of the author’s background in engineering, the book reads as almost a manual rather than a fictional story. Much of the story is summarized rather than shown as action, and there is a lot of scientific and engineering dialogue. There are also many characters to keep track of, as almost every chapter introduces someone new.
While the subject matter is very interesting, I believe the story’s execution could have been improved. I commend Wylie for his ingenuity in putting together the various threads of the story, weaving in and out of politics and business arrangements, and the ability to immerse the reader into the story.
ZONT-2 and Beyond is a hard science fiction novel that will appeal to readers that love to know how things work and want to read the science behind the story. With a plot that is not implausible, this is a fantastic read for those who enjoy sci-fi’s technical aspects.
Pages: 208 | ISBN: 978-1-80016-536-6
Mostly Ethical Paradigms
The Martian Hermitage is another entry in your Master Defiance series, and makes you a prolific science fiction writer. What draws you to the science fiction genre and makes it perfect for you to write in?
The boundaries when writing Science Fiction are mostly ethical paradigms, and one must be careful not to cross into the impossible world of magic and fantasy. The genre allows speculation about the future of science, technology and humanity. It also provides, by extension, a vehicle for indirectly flagging issues and concerns in our present-day world. In other words, an author can lobby a bit for change so that, for instance, a dystopian outcome might be less likely to occur. But this must be done without preaching to readers. I think the best way to do that is to make darn sure the story is fun and interesting to read, with lots of twists and turns, and believable, mostly likeable, characters.
The science in your stories always feel fanciful yet grounded. What type of research do you undertake for your novels to have an authentic feel?
I mostly search the web when I am uncertain about science or technology that I think would help a story. For instance, for Martian Hermitage, I thought the banter between astronauts when they fire up rocket engines would be illuminating and entertaining. I leaned heavily on Apollo mission transcripts for that. But I also find I research a lot of non-technical matters that I believe will make a story more colourful and intellectually entertaining. For example, for Martian Hermitage, I took some inspiration from the sci-fi classic A Canticle for Leibowitz (Walter M. Miller, Jr., 1959). I thought it would be fun to put knowledge-hoarding monks back into space, and weave a symbiotic relationship between church and state into my story. This required learning a bit about Catholicism, monasteries, and the canonization of saints. All of that I found fascinating, which made the writing process more rewarding. I hope it works for the reader too. (I think it worked for Miller, but he may have over-used Latin… most people will need some kind of translating app to really appreciate his one and only novel).
This book is filled with very memorable scenes. What scene did you have the most fun writing?
I really enjoyed writing the chapter where the Promoter of the Faith (a.k.a. the Devil’s Advocate) interviews the alien, artificial intelligence entity that was discovered in an alien, artificial cave on Mars. The young priest is a Doubting Thomas, and wants to find evidence that a candidate for sainthood was in fact unworthy. But the AI entity responds to the priest’s overly-aggressive interrogation methods by playing an astounding video and audio recording of the candidate from the time of the Romans. As a result, the advocate’s horns completely disappear, and the priest is transformed into a true believer, and a much happier person.
When and where will The Martian Hermitage be available?
Pegasus just told me the book will be published on April 29, 2021. You can buy it in paperback form directly through:
www.blair-wylie.pegasuspublishers.com
It will also be available on Amazon (with my other books) in both paperback and ebook formats. Just search on my name to find it.
Martian Hermitage
In The Martian Hermitage by Blair Wylie the earth continues to deteriorate as natural calamities wipe out the last vestiges of civilization. Mars is a dry, infertile and hostile place but it has more resources than the moon. The people in the Moon base are stranded, and are preparing to evacuate and head to Mars. But Mars had been visited before by a noble race who rescued and studied a Christian roman centurion. More heroes will be needed since the benevolent alien race is fleeing an evil alien race.
Blair Wylie’s intellectually invigorating science fiction books always seem to have something new in each. This is a story filled with wonderfully detailed observations and a mixture of thrilling events, drama and action. I am beyond impressed with this book. The characters are consistently intriguing, ensuring that readers are engaged throughout a story that has great pace and depth.
In this piece of literature the story revolves around a diverse group of human beings who will do everything and anything in order to survive in an extremely dangerous world that is full of violence and hostility. This world is threatened by aliens who want to invade it. There are people in the Moon base who are secretly plotting to leave the moon and go to Mars. But Mars is not as it seems. This developments brings a unique twist that sets an enigmatic and contemplative tone throughout this adventurous novel.
The author convincingly writes futuristic science fiction that feels fanciful yet still grounded. I think the key to Blair Wylie’s engaging writing style is the ability to create characters that feel grounded and are easy to empathize with, if not relate to, and this drives us forward through some wild plot twists.
The Martian Hermitage delivers fantastic science fiction, world building, and engaging enigmas in a unique way that I’ve come to expect in Blair Wylie’s novels. Fans of Blair’s earlier works will find his writing finely honed to deliver more of what they love, in a story that is as cerebral as it is entertaining.
Pages: 262 | ISBN: 978-1-784660-95-8
LITERARY TITAN 