Mike Lynch
When did you join the LGG? How did you make the connection?
I joined up about 3 years ago. Brandon Barr was already a member and suggested I give the group a try. He had nothing but good things to say about everyone, and was right.
What's the first thing you remember that happened in the Guild?
The first thing I remember was how warmly I was welcomed. I am happy to say this hasn't changed.
Tell us some good things that have transpired from belonging.
I feel like I am part of a larger community of Christian writers. As we all know, writing can be a very solitary, discouraging pursuit. The stories we try to write often times do not come out as well as we had hoped, or what we do send to publishers invariably gets rejected. It's hard to put yourself out there day after day, only to have doors repeatedly slammed in your face. Having people there who understand what you are going through and giving you the encouragement you need to press on makes all the difference.
What's your genre and subgenre? Why do you think that is?
The genre I write is science fiction, more specifically, space opera. Growing up, Star Trek and Lost in Space were the shows that I enjoyed watching. I must have absorbed that kind of storytelling, and wrote my first novel in the same vein.
Do you like to read the same genre as you write? What other genres interest you? Favourite authors?
I actually enjoy reading non-fiction a great deal. I get inspired when I read about people who have overcome tremendous odds and done things that have affected the lives of others in positive ways. I don't really have a favorite author. For me, it's the story that counts.
Tell us about your published work, and where we can go to find out more.
I have a non-fiction book published by Arcadia Publishing entitled Dublin (www.arcadiapublishing.com)
My first novel, When the Sky Fell, is published by Silver Leaf Books (www.silverleafbooks.com)
My short story No Revolution is Too Big was published by Ray Gun Revival (http://www.raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1342)
Ray Gun Radio turned No Revolution is Too Big into a fun audio program, which you can listen to at: (http://www.raygunradio.com/podcast/)
Another short story, The Wrong Place at the Right Time, was also published by Ray Gun Revival (http://raygunrevival.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=1572&sid=87ab7498e1bf2b46b9e4c5796af30f95)
Beyond Horizon's Edge can be found at Surprising Stories (http://www.beyondhorizonsedge.blogspot.com/)
My latest short story, A Small Sacrifice, was recently published in Digital Dragon Magazine (http://www.digitaldragonmagazine.net/lynch-smallsacrifice.php)
I've also done a few podcasts for When the Sky Fell --
http://thesnarkyavenger.com/?p=535
http://paeter.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=461948
http://www.aloftstudios.co.uk/cre8iv.html
http://archives.treet.tv/meet-author-mike-lynch
Plus some interviews & reviews
http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/search?q=mike+lynch
http://amydeardon.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-interview-when-sky-fell-by-mike.html
http://amydeardon.blogspot.com/2009/06/author-interview-part-2-when-sky-fell.html
http://www.resaliens.com/2009/07/interviewing-mike-lynch-and-brandon-barr/
http://www.digitaldragonmagazine.net/ambrose-julyreview.php
http://chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com/search/label/book%20review
What are you working on right now? How's progress?
Brandon and I are currently working on the Sky sequel. We're about halfway finished with the first draft, though we're taking something of a break for a while. The two of us have been writing pretty much non-stop for the last few years, and are looking to pursue other solo writing projects for the time being before getting back to the sequel.
How has the LGG helped you in your work?
It's always nice to have people to bounce ideas off of, or have them look at some of your work to get some honest feedback. Brandon and I also asked if some the LGG members would be interested in reading our soon to be released next novel, asking them if they would write a review for us. Several people took us up on our offer and wrote some very positive endorsements.
What are your dreams for the future of Christian speculative fiction, and for yourself within that?
One of the reasons I joined the LGG is my firm belief that Christian speculative fiction is a genre that will come into the forefront of publishing sooner or later. There are a lot of writers out there who are creating wonderful stories, but Christian publishers are reluctant to take a chance on them. In order for us to legitimize speculative fiction in the eyes of the publishing world, we need to help one another get books sold. That is truly the bottom line. Success breeds success, and publishers won't take chances on novels if they feel there is a limited audience. But when they see book after book that is speculative nature bringing in strong sales, only then will they fully embrace the genre as we have.
Your best writing tip?
Nothing profound here. Perseverance. You have to keep writing and sending out your stories. The odds of any writer getting published is a 100-1. That is a tough obstacle to overcome. The only way you will ever be among the few who call themselves a published author is to write the best story you possibly can and then send it to every known publisher who might be interested.
What else are you up to that our readers would find interesting?
This is a bit of a departure for me, but I am hoping to start doing research for a non-fiction book I think will be very interesting. I recently met someone at my church who served in the military in the 1970's. It turns out he was assigned presidential protection duty, guarded the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participated in numerous military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. I've spoken to him a little about this, but the more he says, the more I believe there is an interesting book there.
I have also been in contact with a couple of movie producers who have shown a strong interest in two novels Brandon and I have written. If we could get either one of them made into a movie that would be more than I ever could have hoped for as a writer.
Something you reckon not many people know about you?
When I was in high school I learned how to juggle and ride a unicycle. I pick it up again every now and then, though I don't have any aspirations to join the circus anytime soon. Those clowns are a little creepy.
Your website or social media profile?
If people want to know a little more about me, they can always go to my website: www.mikelynchbooks.com
I also have pages on Shoutlife and Facebook.
