I was lucky to get an interview with Palmer Pickering, the author of Heliotrope, one of this year’s #SPFBO9 entries.

Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I live in the redwood forests of the California coast and work in high-tech and gaming. I’ve been writing all my life. I’ve pursued other interests over the years, including music production and song writing, massage and energy healing arts, and Tibetan Buddhist style mindfulness meditation training.

Why should I buy your SPFBO9 entry?
Heliotrope is Epic Fantasy for people who like long, immersive, descriptive-heavy, slow-burn prose, like Robert Jordan or Robin Hobb. This is a character-driven story about a retired warrior who lost his family during the war and ends up protecting a couple of orphans and slowly creating a new family. The main character was descended from Mages in a society where magic has been outlawed for generations. You can imagine where that goes, although you will find this story to be unlike any you’ve read before. It’s a standalone with a single-POV character, so take a break from the long, multi-POV series.

What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, when I and my friend used to write “two-minute mysteries.” Then I wrote some disturbing short stories that scared my readers. After university, I quit my day job in advertising to write the “great American novel.” Then I realized I still needed to pay my rent, so I went back to work and figured out how to carve out time to continue writing on a regular basis in addition to my other responsibilities.

Have you participated in the SPFBO before and where did you hear about the competition?
I was a semi-finalist in SPFBO5 with my debut Science-Fantasy book, “Moon Deeds.” I learned about the SPFBO competition after meeting Dyrk Ashton at the bar at a convention (Nebula Awards maybe?), and he told me about it. He was raving about what a great community it was.

Why did you choose to write fantasy?
Speculative Fiction has always been my escape genre as a reader, and the genre that sparked my imagination the most. I realized I needed to write in a genre that I loved in order to stick with a manuscript during the long editing process involved in putting out a book. I hope to provide an immersive escape for my readers, transporting them to another world.

Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
As I mentioned above, Robin Hobb and Robert Jordan were huge influences. The Hobb character, Fitz, inspired some of the themes of Heliotrope.

If you were to win the SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
A contest like SPFBO creates incredible exposure and awareness for Indie authors, which is one of the primary challenge any self-published author faces. So, I would love to at least get into the Finals so that more people read my work.

What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
Heliotrope is the fourth book I wrote and the third one I released. (My first completed manuscript sits gathering dust in a box somewhere.) The first two books I released, “Moon Deeds” and its sequel, “Light Fighters” (Books 1 & 2 of the “Star Children Saga”), were bears to write. “Heliotrope,” on the other hand, flowed very easily and relatively quickly for me. I specifically chose a pure genre, a standalone, single-POV, and a relatively simple linear plot, to make it easy on myself and my readers. It was a break from the complexity and intensity of the “Star Children Saga.”

Do you have any tips or an author app, tool, or resource that you can really recommend we try?
My advice to writers just starting out is simple. Write. Write a lot. Write often. Then write some more.

And now it's time to yank out your Palantir! Let’s talk about the future. What new projects are you working on?
I am currently back into the “Star Children Saga,” writing Book Three, “Anaximenes.” I have been forced to outline this book extensively, in an attempt to weave all the various threads together while at the same time keeping it fresh and interesting. It’s a big task. I’ve also completed another, totally different book, “Dark Town,” which is the start of a more lighthearted LitRPG fantasy series called “Tales of Temerity.” “Dark Town” should be out in late 2023, if all goes according to plan. “Anaximenes” is slated for 2024, but we’ll see if I can manage that.

Apps that are based on artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGTP and Midjourney, along with apps aimed specifically at authors, have caused quite a stir. Do you expect these new technologies will make your life as a self-published author easier or harder, and do you expect that they’ll mean you’ll earn more or less?
I expect it to be somewhat annoying to have to compete with AI in the marketplace, but tbh, I’m not worried. I write because I love it, and I will continue to do so, regardless of external circumstances. I already earn a pittance, so if I earn less, I’ll hardly notice.

Do you have any dreams you’d like to share?
My dream is to be able to write full-time. Not sure how that would ever happen, short of winning the lottery, literally or figuratively. Fortunately, I like my day job, so it’s all good. I mean, one of the requirements of my job is to play video games. Can’t really complain about that!

Anything else you would like to say before we close?
Thank you so much, Rune, and everyone else in this vibrant and supportive Indie community. Together, we are making a mark in the publishing industry and pushing boundaries. We are all courageous and driven—forging our own futures, believing in ourselves, and creating unique and excellent fiction.

True words! We’ll push together and forge ahead! AIs or not, rich or broke!

I wish you the very best in the SPFBO. I hope a lot of readers discover your writing. Thanks for doing the interview, Palmer!