fantastic interview to lou antonelli

Lou Antonelli started writing fiction in middle age; his first story was published in 2003 when he was 46. He’s had 89 short stories published in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, in venues such as Asimov’s Science Fiction, Jim Baen’s Universe, Dark Recesses, Andromeda Spaceways In-Flight Magazine, Greatest Uncommon Denominator (GUD), Daily Science Fiction, and Omni Reboot, among others.
His collections include “Fantastic Texas” published in 2009; “Texas & Other Planets” published in 2010; and “The Clock Struck None” and “Letters from Gardner”, both published in 2014.
He was a finalist in 2013 for the Sidewise Award in Alternate History.
His story “Great White Ship”, originally published in Daily Science Fiction, was a 2013 finalist for the Sidewise Award for alternate history.
A Massachusetts native, he moved to Texas in 1985 and is married to Dallas native Patricia (Randolph) Antonelli. They have three adopted furbaby children, Millie, Sugar and Peltro Antonelli.

lou antonelli

Since I read his story published on The Ironic Fantastic # 3, I bought shortly after “The Clock Struck None” that I hope to read as soon as I clean the current stack of books. I’ve read other stories and from what I read is an author that I recommend with my eyes closed.

1. Do you have a specific writing style?

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction says “In a spare, swift, convincing narrative style, conveying in a deadpan voice a wide array of sometimes paranoid suppositions about the world, Antonelli juxtaposes realities with very considerable skill…” That’s a very good analysis. My style is very matter-of-fact because it is a natural outgrowth of my career as a journalist.

2. What books have most influenced your life?

Strangely enough, none of them fiction. I didn’t start writing fiction until I was 42, so the formative books I read when I was young were non-fiction. “Lovely is the Lee” by Robert Gibbons was one, “Asking for Trouble” by South African journalist Donald Woods is another. All the s-f I read when I was young were in magazines. I’ve always liked short stories, and not just in s-f; I’ve always been a great admirer of O. Henry.

3. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Howard Waldrop. I loved his work when I was just a reader, and when I started writing and sought him out, I found him friendly and very accessible.

4. What are your current projects?

After having 90 short stories published in eleven years, and four collections, I’ve been told by multiple people I need to write a novel. I think that makes a lot of sense, there are people out there who are curious as to what I could produce at book-length.

5. How much research do you do?

Less than you would imagine. I don’t write hard s-f, I don’t have the mind for hard science. Most of my research consists of checking to see whether I remember correctly something I already knew.

6. Do you write full-time or part-time?

Part-time.

7. Where do your ideas come from?

Phrases or images that come out of my mind and persist. Stephen King said he doesn’t need to make up plots for horror stories, he just remembers his nightmares. I do the same, but with my daydreams. The time I saw a cloud that reminded me of a dirigible stuck in my brain and after a number of years germinated as my Sidewise Award nominated story “Great White Ship”.

8. How can readers discover more about you and you work?

My blog is www.louantonelli.blogspot.com

I have a reprint blog at http://www.otherwisealternatehistory.blogspot.com

My collections are available at
http://www.merryblacksmith.com
http://www.fantasticbooks.biz
http://www.yarddogpress.com

Heck, just email me at solacesdaddy@yahoo.com