Gabriel’s Return is the second book in Steve Umstead’s near-future sci-fi adventure trilogy featuring North American Federation Navy Commander Evan Gabriel.   In Gabriel’s Redemption, Gabriel lost more than his command on the distant planet Eden.  In book two, Gabriel returns to wrest control from terrorists and confront his haunting fears.

Steve is here today on the first hop of his blog tour for Gabriel’s Return.  Shhh.  Don’t tell anyone, but it’s my first time as an interviewer.  Two world premiers in one blog post. 

To mark this auspicious occasion, Steve is giving away one copy each of his two ebooks, Gabriel’s Redemption and Gabriel’s Return.  To enter, please leave a comment below.  A single winner of both books will be chosen at random from the depths of my son’s hat.**

Without further folderol, please welcome, Author and the official Mayor of #Pubwrite Steve Umstead.

(waits for applause to die down)

ME:  What’s the stupidest piece of advice you’ve ever received as a writer?

STEVE:  To give up unless I’m in a bookstore selling thousands of copies. Would I love to be making a living doing this? Absolutely – I can’t imagine a more satisfying, enjoyable career than writing all the time. I absolutely love it – the research, the writing, even the editing. But what I enjoy the most is having people read my stories – whether it’s a dozen people, a hundred people, or (maybe one day) tens of thousands.

Oh, and maybe, “Write something like Harry Potter.  That worked out well for her.”

ME:  How has Evan Gabriel grown as a human being since his mission in Gabriel’s Redemption?

STEVE:  In his past, he suffered the inconceivable loss of an entire squad, essentially right before his eyes. He then spent years hiding out, trying to escape his past, until finally called back to active duty for the Poliahu (Book 1) mission. There, he found his redemption – a new team, new friends, new respect, and was reunited with a special person. Soon after, he found love and companionship, as well as new purpose. He was no longer the lost, former Commander on the run; he is now back in his element, back to what he does best. He has seen that people care for him and need him, from old friends and new, from his family to his country.

ME:  In which community, of the Evan Gabriel trilogy, would you like to live and why?

STEVE:  Oh, Mars, most certainly. While in Gabriel’s universe Mars is a backwater, forgotten collection of poorly constructed domes and cities with lawlessness at every turn, it’s Mars! Transparent domes, high-speed magnetic trains, space elevators, low gravity, and so many possibilities for the future.

ME:  What’s your greatest challenge as a SF writer?

STEVE:  Two challenges really. One is overcoming that somewhat-negative stereotype of science fiction. Like mentioning the book to a friend, and they say, “oh, science fiction” like it’s a how-to book on ear wax removal. Sci-fi still has that dress-up-like-a-Klingon connotation to many people, when in reality, it can be one of the most enjoyable, thought-provoking genres to read.

ME:  I understand.  Personally, I prefer to dress as a Borg.  Though I do enjoy an occasional glass of blood wine.  And the second?

STEVE:  The second challenge would be staying realistic. I am a big fan of “near future” types of stories, where the setting and technology are based in realism and aren’t too much of a stretch from our current day. Just about everything in my series, I feel, is a logical progression from something available today, or maybe something being worked on. The brain implant ‘neuretics’ used in the Gabriel Evan’s trilogy is like an iPhone in a person’s head.  Neural implants are already being tested. Rail guns exist, as do particle beams, armor, and rudimentary spacecraft. With a little imagination, I believe my stories are easily digested by a wide range of readers.

ME:  What vicious plants do you grow at home?  What do your neighbors think about them? 

STEVE:  I don’t have anything even approaching a green thumb. I had a thought a few years back to try to grow my own hops (a friend of mine and I brew our own beer), but they’d probably end up as dangerous as the razorvine on Eden. Vicious? Probably that cursed crabgrass, it just keeps coming back…and the neighbors have always looked down their noses at me. I remember one time years ago, while mowing the lawn, one of my neighbors offered to give me the number of her lawn service. I politely declined and thought, “How nice of her?” until a friend pointed out she was insinuating my lawn was bringing down her property value…

ME:  In what ways are you similar to Navy Commander Evan Gabriel?

STEVE:  Hard to say – I had not written him based on me, as he’s very different. Single/no kids, hardcore military, tall and muscular – yeah, not me. But as a writer, you do tend to put a lot of yourself into your characters, especially the main protagonist. And honestly, I put myself in his shoes on many occasions to “act out” how he’d react, speak, gesture. So I’d probably say the way I speak/he speaks would be similar, the phrases used and the cut-to-the-chase sentences… and probably his grinding his teeth in frustration. While I’d love to say his physical prowess, lightning-quick reflexes, and mastery of weapons and tactics…eh, not quite.

ME:  What’s in store for Evan Gabriel in book 3?

STEVE:  I’ve already settled on a title and have released it to the general public (not to mention threw it on the last page of Gabriel’s Return), so it’s not a secret. Book 3, Gabriel’s Revenge, will deal with the dark, angry side of Commander Evan Gabriel. He’s had a rough past and has done his best to work through it, and has lost some friends along the way. However, he reaches his breaking point at the end of Book 2, and the patient Gabriel will be shoved aside as he tries to overcome his greatest challenge to date.

ME:  Who would win in a Scrabble game between Evan Gabriel and Governor Mubina Tarif?  What would be the highest scoring word for each player?

STEVE:  I think it’s a hands-down winner for Tarif. Gabriel is more tactical, seeing minute details and planning for near-term issues, while Tarif looks several moves ahead and will be better able to use her letters to her advantage. Plus she’s great at reacting to others, so will be ready for whatever Gabriel places on the board. That being said, Gabriel has his moments, and would have the one-word high score for GELTEX at 40 points. What is Geltex? A crucial piece of his past and present, something that haunts his memories as well as affects his current mission. You’ll just have to read to find out. Tarif will be more consistent; her big score will be 26 points for USURP…just a little hint of the political maneuvering that takes place in the book.

ME:  Of all the people on our little blue planet, what single person would you most want to read your novel and why?

STEVE:  I can’t say my wife, although that would be the easiest answer – she’s already read both, and something I’ll always remember is when she finished Gabriel’s Redemption, she put three dollars on the kitchen table for me…

ME:  Okay, that’s officially adorable.  I like Mrs. Umstead.  

STEVE:  So, back to the question. Of all the people on the planet? I’d have to say my late grandmother Edith, who passed away a few years back, well before I caught the official writing bug. She was a voracious reader, and I’m sure she would have gotten a kick out of seeing her great-grandsons’ names in a published novel. Wait, didn’t I tell you my sons’ names appear in the series?

ME:  You didn’t.  But I  like Easter eggs, and I appreciate your visiting my set of pixels today, Steve. All the best with your latest novel:

Gabriel’s Return.

STEVE:  Thanks so much for your time, and the interview – it was a lot of fun!

Gabriel’s Return is available as an ebook for Kindle and Nook, and is also available on Goodreads.

More information about Steve can be found on his blog here: www.SteveUmstead.com

** (updated: Contest will end at 9 a.m. CT on 8/24/11.  Ooh.  And leave a valid email address)