Today, I’m talking with Rebecca Langham, whose debut sci-fi novel ‘Beneath The Surface’ launches on January 15th.
Hi Rebecca, it’s great to chat with you.
Hello, Book Squirrel! Thanks for having me!
What inspired you to write?
When I was about four years old or so my mother enrolled to study at university, having always wanted to attain a degree but finding it difficult with four children. A couple of years later, she undertook an honours degree and did a lot of work to write a major research thesis. She took me with her to conduct interviews and I also sat in on a lot of her lectures when she struggled to find a babysitter. I didn’t quite understand what she was writing, but I knew that whatever it was it would be long, interesting, and fabulous. So I wanted to be a writer too, even though what my mother produced back then was the history of a major Australian corporation and nothing at all like the fiction I imagined myself writing.
What’s your favourite thing that you have written?
‘Beneath the Surface’, my sci-fi novel that is being released on 15 January 2018. This is the only full-length novel I’ve completed so far and, after all that hard work and many difficult lessons learned, it’ll always have a special place in my psyche.
What’s your favourite thing that someone else has written?
I love so many books, shows, movies and songs! It’s so hard to choose. As far as novels go, I absolutely adore Michael Cunningham’s use of language in ‘The Hours’. Fannie Flagg’s ‘Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Café’ also really stayed with me. Those are some of the most memorable and heart-wrenching characters I’ve ever seen on the page. I adore the film adaptation as well, but so many rich stories from the book were left out of the film.
What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
I’m terrible at just choosing one answer for questions like this. ‘The Secret River’ by Kate Grenville and ‘The Surgeon of Crowthorne’ by Simon Winchester were both thought-provoking reads that I became very emotionally invested in this year.
What are you working on writing now?
I’ve just started the second book of my sci-fi duology. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the first draft, but my goal is to try and have it finished by the middle of the year so it can be published about a year after Book I.
Who designs your book covers?
Natasha Snow. She is amazing!
I’ll say! That cover is magnificent!
Thank you!
What’s your favourite TV show?
As always, I would struggle to just name one. Amongst my favourites are Battlestar Galactica, Xena: Warrior Princess, Jane the Virgin, Orphan Black, Farscape & Wynonna Earp.
What movie can you watch over and over again?
There are a few of these. The main ones I can think of are Labyrinth, Willow, and A League of Their Own.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer. It’s taken me a while but I’m finally getting there.
Who are your three greatest literary inspirations?
Octavia Butler
Bryce Courtenay
Sarah Waters
Where can we find your book?
The best way to support me as an indie author is to go straight to the publisher – NineStar Press – where you can actually preorder the e-book and get it early!
You can also find the Kindle edition on Amazon.
You can pick up a physical copy from major retailers, including Amazon and Book Depository.
Where can readers follow you on social media?
FB – https://www.facebook.com/RLanghamAuthor/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/rlangham85
Website – www.rebeccalangham.com.au
Book Squirrel 