short fiction and was recently released. Welcome!
Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Sure no problem. Speculative Sky is about a young woman who is an astrophysicist who journeys to another planet in hopes of furthering her dream of being the first to discover Extra Terrestrial Intelligence. To her surprise, her boss a fellow scientist discourages her efforts but she forges ahead and gets a surprise of her life.
Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
I believe this is Science Fiction though I’ve been told that it has elements of Romance between the two main characters.
When did you start writing toward publication?
About fifteen years ago. It was so daunting and then one day, I discovered that e-publishing was available to me and it turned to be the perfect fit! Speculative Sky is not my first but I still love it nonetheless. I have been published before with my scifi military romance novel ‘Cold Warriors.’
Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
Prior to Speculative Sky, yes I had several. But only a couple of them were worthy of being published. One day I hope to have them released again.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes I do but I am not sure what to call it. When people read my work, I want them to feel as if they are right there in the midst of it all. I want them to be able to hear, taste, smell and see the action as if it is happening all around them. I also tend to write tight stories with quick pacing. It's what I like to read and consequently how I write.
What inspired you to write this book?
Well, ever since I was a child I always wanted to be a writer. It was a dream of mine to be published and to write stories that everyone could enjoy. Speculative Sky was created because I’ve always had a fascination with stories about Extra-Terrestrial Life and S.E.T.I. and I wanted to integrate such a story with a female character as a strong and intelligent lead.
And how did you come up with the title?
To be honest I’ve always been attracted and fascinated by the abstract and the symbolic. I wanted the title to be symbolic of what April Mullen, the main character, has to deal with as an Astronomer and all that came with her assignment.
What is Speculative Sky about?
It is about a woman who takes a chance and leaves for an assignment on a science colony far away from Earth. As an astronomer, it is her job to monitor the stars at night and to record her findings. Nothing more than that. But, when she arrives, she notices that her new home is a bit odd, and that though there is evidence of life out there… they don’t want her to either acknowledge it or do anything about it. She of course finds this troubling.
Why have you become a published author?
Because I have an obsessive need to entertain people with stories! I can’t help myself!
What are your current projects?
Presently I am finishing up the final editing for “Ice and Peace” the sequel to Cold Warriors. As well as having another expanded universe book in the works. Not to mention, two futuristic romances that are completely different from my military fiction.
Wow! You sound as busy as me! This can be a lonely profession. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
The Motown Creative Writers Group-- they helped get on the road to being published. And not to mention the many groups in the Romance community. They really pointed me in the right direction. I'm grateful for that.
Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
Just because one editor does not like your work or says that it is not a good fit for their press it does not mean that there isn’t an audience and an editor out there that wouldn’t want your book right away! Don’t give up! Keep trying and your audience will eventually find you!
BOOK BLURB
Astrophysicist April Mullen has just been hired to monitor the deepest reaches of outer space. In this small outpost filled with scientists, she notices something amiss. Though the idea of searching for extra-terrestrial contact is permitted, the practice of doing so is not encouraged. Not satisfied with the status quo, April decides to forgo the warnings of her superiors to make contact with the inhabitants of that speculative sky. (Published: 2010)
EXCERPT
“It’s amazing. You say this happens every day?”
“Night, mostly, but you get the idea,” Bart said, pouring more of the sweet concoction into her glass.
“Do they know about this back home?”
“Sure they do. We send them the data all the time. And they tell us to keep tracking.”
“Why didn’t anyone say anything?”
“About what? A few blips on a screen?” Bart scowled, pouring more into his glass. “How’s that interesting?”
“It’s more than we ever had at home.”
“Trust me, April, it’s nothing.”
“Bart, this is... Has anyone made contact?”
“Don’t talk like that around here. Just leave it alone,” he said, shaking his head. “Calm down, get to know the place. You’ll really like it here. Most people don’t want to go home after being here.”
“I‟m sure that’s the case, but how can I not be excited over this? It’s the find of a lifetime,” April said, reveling in the thought of making contact with extra-terrestrial life.
“You don’t have to try to impress us. Just do your work and you’ll be fine.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you don’t worry about it. There is plenty of research to be done. You could spend your entire lifetime studying the Jugis Star Cluster alone.”
“Haven’t you ever looked up in the sky and wondered if there was anyone else out there?”
“Of course I have. And if anyone back home asks, tell them it’s just us,” he said, finishing off his drink.
“That’s not what I‟m talking about.”
“I know what you’re talking about and don’t worry about it.”
“What?”
“What you’re thinking. Just don’t do it. I’m telling you, don’t do it.”
A little bit about the author
Clare Dargin is an author of science fiction and science fiction romance. She is an animal lover, just ask her two dogs that get away with everything… She continues to write in her spare time while she is pursuing her education. Her latest work ‘Speculative Sky’ is available now from Red Rose Publishing.
How can my readers buy your book?
Here is the buy link: http://bit.ly/gAXy8c
You can find more information about Clare Dargin and her book, ‘Speculative Sky* by
Visiting her website at http://www.claredargin.host22.com/
Or her blog at http://www.claredargin.bravejournal.com/
