1. How did you get entangled in writing for Rick Riordan Presents and the way did it really feel to be requested?
I’ve been with Disney-Hyperion since 2008, and Stephenie Lurie has been my editor by all that point. She’s additionally Rick’s editor. So I used to be given a heads up when RRP was beginning, that she and Rick would love me to be concerned. However the pitch I despatched didn’t actually work, so I didn’t get entangled until a few years later, principally I wanted the appropriate thought. Then I wrote up a partial (first few chapters, define) of CITY OF THE PLAGUE GOD and despatched that to Steph. She took it to Rick and the remainder of the staff, we obtained the thumbs up and we have been off!
2. As a really white man raised in a western/Christian milieu it was a delight to learn a e book that was steeped in Muslim values and a narrative based mostly in Mesopotamian mythology, do you could have extra tales deliberate that pull on these influences? I do know that Metropolis of the Plague God was speculated to be a one-off however after Fury of the Dragon Goddess I’m hoping for extra tales of Sikander and his mates.
Oh, I’ve SUCH PLANS! I’m actually ready for the writer to provide the okay to go public. A lot of publishing is ready…
3. For readers that enthralled by the Mesopotamian influences in your Sikander tales what books would you suggest that they uncover extra?
I primarily used the works of Stephanie Dalley and Andrew George. Take a look at their translations of the Epic of Gilgamesh and Myths of Mesopotamia. Loads of nice historical past books protecting that interval too. Historical Iraq by Georges Roux was sensible.
4. I cheered throughout the British Museum scenes in Fury of the Dragon Goddess and am positive that some folks will get scorching underneath the collar on the criticism of the British Imperialism methodology of assortment improvement. Do you could have any ideas on the place folks can discover out extra details about repatriation of museum collections and moral museums?
I believe the important thing factor is supporting native museums. They don’t should be in Iraq! It is a HUGE matter, the fallout of colonialism. It received’t be sorted out in our time, however the indicators of the shift are already there. The latest unrest in Niger is rooted in its colonial previous, and those self same pressures created a lot of the fashionable Center East and we’re seeing how native Hawaiians are bringing their tales of American colonialism to the fore with their latest eco-disasters. Our drawback us considering that colonialism is previously. It isn’t. The previous colonial powers nonetheless wield nice energy (most to their benefit) over their former colonies. We’re in for a tough time, however we should preserve an open thoughts with regard to whose narrative we’re being fed.
5. One of many early quotes in Metropolis of the Plague God is one which has stayed with me since I first learn it (& it’s within the pages that I learn each time I’m requested to provide e book suggestion talks in colleges):
Daoud laughed. “Guys like us don’t get to be heroes. You understand that.”
“Why? Trigger you’re an Arab, or ‘trigger you’re a Muslim?”
“Take your choose, cuz. Take your choose.”
Are you able to suggest any books (for readers of all ages) which have optimistic representations of Arabs and Muslims?
Choose a e book written by a Muslim and/or Arab! I’ll suggest the next authors off the highest of my head however there are extra: Sufiya Ahmed, SF Mentioned, Irfan Grasp, Saadia Faruqi.
6. I recall seeing a tweet (RIP twitter) from you some time in the past whereby you talked about that Ash Mistry had been optioned, are you able to share any particulars about that?
Ah, it’s with LIGHTHOUSE, a manufacturing firm. It’s a gradual, gradual course of however there’s a younger British-born Asian director concerned and writing the pilot, so I really feel it’s in protected arms.
7. What are you at present studying?
Simply completed 1984, which was sensible. A masterclass in writing Third Individual Perspective in addition to (virtually goes with out saying) extremely highly effective in regards to the manipulation of the lots. At all times present, all the time important studying. Unsure fairly what to start out subsequent. Acquired the Three Musketeers prepared as my massive vacation learn.
8. I’m conscious that you’re an avid collector of tabletop position enjoying video games, do you could have any plans to create or work on a RPG?
Too lazy to create one in every of my very own, tbh! I simply love operating video games, leaving all of the laborious design work to raised avid gamers than me. Simply wrapped up a 2 and a half yr marketing campaign we ran on-line all through covid. Actually helped me get by the lockdowns having that to stay up for each week. Now operating a number of brief mini-campaigns. Star Trek (TOS), some JUDGE DREDD and now STORMBRINGER, set on this planet of Elric of Melnibone. All of it, a method or one other, feeds into my writing, retaining my story cells refreshed. If you wish to develop into a author, begin operating an rpg.
