“I love to entertain and I love to provoke, and the more people for whom I can do just that, the better. Getting people invested in characters or stories is an amazing experience, and inviting them to think in ways they’ve never before considered is quite a bonus.”
-Nathan Smith
A member of the Writers’ League of Texas since September, Nathan Smith lives in Austin.
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?
Nathan Smith: I’d like to think I can take on anything, but I’ve found I gravitate the most toward variants of science fiction and urban fantasy. Other sub-genres that inevitably find themselves in my work are speculative, political, and philosophical, mixed with some drama and a few thrills here and there.
Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?
NS: Neil Gaiman has definitely been a personal hero for some time. And, if I had the chance, the first question I’d ask him might be some flabbergasted version of “How do you do it?” With a more level head, however, I’d probably first ask what inspires him and helps him gain the passion and confidence necessary for what he does.
Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?
NS: I’ve been a sucker for psychology for a while now, so I’d probably have to say Jonathan Haidt’s The Happiness Hypothesis. However, if we’re talking fiction, then I think I’d have to find myself a really good book from the Star Wars extended canon.
Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?
NS: I’ve only recently joined, but I’ve known about the WLT for some time. Now that I’m a member, however, I’m excited to meet other writers and people who are passionate about their work. In my admittedly brief time with the WLT, I’ve learned that my own struggles and dreams as a writer are held by many other people just right here in Austin. Learning that what I go through when creating content is also felt by so many who are just as passionate about their work has really helped me feel not only a sense of belonging, but to find a new well of strength.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
NS: I have plans for world domination of some sort, but my more short-term goal is that I’d like to simply get my work out there. I love to entertain and I love to provoke, and the more people for whom I can do just that, the better. Getting people invested in characters or stories is an amazing experience, and inviting them to think in ways they’ve never before considered is quite a bonus.
Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?
NS: Having only recently moved back to Texas, I’m sorry to say I’m not yet keyed in on any local authors. However, I’ve always been a fan of the projects old friends and even my English teachers have been working on; I think there’s something special about local projects, and I’d love to get some recommendations myself.
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion!
NS: Earlier this year, I finished my sci-fi trilogy, Espatier. If you’re interested, you can find the first book, Though the Heavens Should Fall, on Amazon for Kindle and in paperback. And with Espatier finished, I’ve recently started an entirely new project, under the working title Infinite Zero.
For updates on Infinite Zero and all my other work, I have an author page on Facebook.
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Thanks, Nathan!
If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!
