Writing is an art, publishing is a business. Never confuse the two.

Chris Gerrib – 25 February 2017

The Back Flap

In the chaotic and crime-ridden settlement of Boxtown on Mars, Minty Storey witnesses a bar fight she has no idea will change the course of her life.

Halfway across the planet, Janet Pilgrim and the Volunteer Space Rescue Service struggle to do something about the pirate menace on the spaceways between Earth and Mars.

But the problems both face are much bigger than pirates and bar fights. When a leader of Earth’s Manifest Destiny movement makes an appearance on Mars, events begin to roll to a climax that will hold the fate of the planet in the balance.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Night Watch is really about three things.  First, the concept of vengeance and how that’s not such a good life goal.  That’s the personal level of the story.  Second, how governments develop and what their appropriate roles in society should be.  Third, how society abhors a vacuum.  If there is an area with people but no societal structure, a social structure will develop.

When did you start writing the book?

I started and finished it in 2014, while I was marketing the previous book in the series, Pirates of Mars.

How long did it take you to write it?

Some books take forever.  This one took a matter of months.

Where did you get the idea from?

They were logical outgrowths of the previous book in the series.  If one starts out fighting pirates, logically one has to follow up and continue, because the pirates come gunning for you.  In the previous book, I had created a “Big Bad” organization that had been defeated but not destroyed.  It was only logical that they’d come back again.  Finally, on the personal side, I decided to kill off a major character, which brought the vengeance aspects in.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

This was a surprisingly easy book to write.  The biggest struggle was just finding time to write it!

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I’ve borrowed names of people I know, and in one instance a physical description.  But in general, I’ve kept this as fictional as possible.  That’s if only because I don’t know any real pirates!

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

You can’t write science fiction if you haven’t read Robert Heinlein.  His influence on me has been a contrary one – Heinlein stories famously star “competent men.”  I write ordinary men (and women) because they’re much more interesting.  Of modern writers, I find John Scalzi most influential.  I like his voice and his smart-ass characters.

Do you have a target reader?

Other than “not a kid” no, not really.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I am very much of a “pantser” (write by the seat of my pants).  If I have a process at all it’s to just keep writing.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I outlined my first two books, although I abandoned the outline of the second about halfway through the writing.  Now I just wing it.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I’ll usually edit what I wrote in the last session to get caught up with the action, then push on.  Somebody told me (and they’re dead right) that you can’t do anything with an unfinished manuscript, so your first priority has to be Finish The Book.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No, I’m a peace and quiet kind of writer.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Not this book, as it’s the completion of an indie-published series, but in general yes I have.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I didn’t want to pay for editing and cover art, so that meant no self-publishing, and I didn’t get an offer at the Big Six, so by process of elimination I went indie.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

No, my publisher did it professionally.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Does “get it in front of as many people as possible” count as a plan?  Seriously, the plan is to find and use any source of publicity.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Writing is an art, publishing is a business.  Never confuse the two.

About You

Where did you grow up?

A small town of 3,000 people surrounded by coal mines and cornfields in Central Illinois.

Where do you live now?

Darien Illinois, a Chicago suburb.

What would you like readers to know about you?

Although I’m flattered to talk about myself, what I really want the reader to do is enjoy the book.

End of Interview.

For more from Chris visit his website, his Live Journal page, or follow him on Twitter.

Get your copy of The Night Watch from Amazon US or Amazon UK.