When it comes to mapping out futuristic worlds far beyond the imagination of most people, there are few who apply themselves to the task more creatively than English sci-fi author Stuart Aken. Hard at work on book three of his  acclaimed Generation Marsseries and with a website boasting in excess of 23 000 loyal followers, Stuart has indeed been kicking some serious intergalactic goals in the world of science fiction publishing across the last few years.

He agreed to speak to me from his secluded bugalow hidden amongst ancient woodlands somewhere near the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England on the condition I not reveal its exact location. Stuart, your secret is safe with me.

 I read recently a well known author say the reason they became a writer was so they’d never have to feel alone again. Can you relate in any way to that thought?

 Being…

EPANALEPSI

I think I might have created a new form of poetry? If I have then my gratitude goes out to Stuart Aken please click on his name and you’ll see where I am coming from, thank you, Stuart, too. Please do click on the title link above as all the definition/s can be used. To reiterate, please do click on the title, as the definition will become the rules, two of which can be found in my examples, the first blatantly obvious, the second in the first line of the fourth stanza. Feedback please, more on it being a new format, and of course critiques on the poems. Oh the name of the form, (if it is new), ‘Epanalepsis Poetry’. As is I can’t find any reference to this format, fingers crossed.

PERFECTED LOVE

together we will always be together
alone again never again alone
together now and forever together

The world’s full of easy reads, with a multitude added to the ranks each day. Stuart Aken refuses to be part of that army of writers. He accepts his books, multilayered and often dealing with topics many people would prefer to ignore, aren’t easy to read. I asked him about his approach to writing.

JBS: Do you have a favourite genre in which you write?

SA: Genre: a double-edged sword. It provides clues for readers to help them decide which books they might like to read, of course. But it labels writers, constrains them and, especially if published by the bigger houses, forces them to turn out barely disguised copies of the same book under different titles for the term of their contract.

I find the story chooses the genre, and most of my work doesn’t fit neatly into any one recognised slot. I’ve written work classified as romantic thriller…