Lou Antonelli has had 104 short stories and three collections
published since 2003. He was a finalist in 2013 for the Sidewise Award in
Alternate History for "Great White Ship" (Daily Science Fiction – May
2012). He was a two-time Hugo nominee (Short Story and Best Related Work) in
2015.
His collections include “Fantastic Texas” published in 2009;
“Texas & Other Planets” published in 2010; and “The Clock Struck None” and
“Letters from Gardner”, both published in 2014.
His steampunk short story, "A Rocket for the
Republic", was the last story accepted by Dozois before he retired as
editor of Asimov's Science Fiction after 19 years. It was published in Asimov's
in September 2005 and placed third in the annual Readers’ Poll.
What
and who are some of your influences and inspirations?
As far as short stories in general, O. Henry. As far as the
style of short stories, Rod Serling. In the fantasy and s-f field, I’d say
Howard Waldrop, Ray Bradbury and Alfred Bester.
How
and why did you decide to start writing?
I started writing for publication as a journalist when I was in
high school; I decided to start writing fiction and submitting for publication
when I was 45.
What
genres and/or literary style do enjoy writing in the most?
Twilight Zone-type fantasy.
Tell
us about your latest published book, short story or novella.
I’ve just had my retro-futurist alternate history novel “Another Girl, Another Planet”
published by WordFire Press. It’s mainly set 30 years in the past, in an
alternate timeline where, thanks to the efforts of Admiral Robert Heinlein, the
Cold War was replaced by a Space Race.
Besides
the “entertainment factor,” what do you strive for in your writing?
Clarity of prose scattered with clever wordplay.
Would
you say that your stories are more plot-driven or character-driven?
Definitely plot-driven.
What
can you tell us about your latest work(s) in progress?
I have any number of short stories in various slush piles. I’m
contemplating a sequel to “Another Girl, Another Planet”.
What
are some literary goals you’d like to achieve?
I don’t believe in setting goals, it only leads to frustration.
What
genre of fiction have you not yet written for, but plan to in the future?
I’ve had 104 short stories published; at this point I’ve had at
least one story in every genre I can think of.
Name
a few of your favorite literary characters and tell us why they are your
favorites?
The Wizard of Oz because he is so human in a strange
environment; Professor Morbius in “Forbidden Planet” because of the way his
pride leads to his downfall; the Foreman in “Metropolis” because of his
dedication to duty and the way he was willing to take on the mob.
What
are some of your all-time favorite films and TV shows?
Films: “Metropolis”, “Forbidden Planet”. TV Shows: “Wild, Wild
West”, “Warehouse 13”.
Tell
us about your writing habits, such as: Do you outline extensively? Do you
create your characters first, or your plot? Do you listen to music while
writing, and if so, what kind?
I don’t outline, I’m definitely a pantser. I usually come up
with an image, piece of business or conceit to possibly anchor a story with,
then I come up with a plot and then populate it with characters.
What else can you tell us about yourself and your reading
habits?
I write very sporadically, but because my day job is as a
journalist, I’m never rusty and I write fast. Once I started a story after
lunch and had it finished, proofed and accepted by the time I went home at 5
p.m.
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