The Clockmaker's Tale
by Ian Williams
GENRE: Science Fiction
BLURB:
In The Clockmaker’s Tale: and other stories, Ian Williams takes us to the near future and beyond. From a moon base where androids conduct experiments on human test subjects, to futuristic tours of the ocean depths that hide a terrible secret; from a society governed by harsh rule of law that is enforced by AI, to a humble clockmaker tempted by the promise of increased productivity through technological augmentation.
Covering issues such as environmental decay, the end of facts and proven truths, our growing waste problem, and humanity’s tendency to divide when we should come together, this collection of six science fiction stories relates as much to our time as it does to the many possible futures.
Excerpt:
Returning to his briefcase, Alexander produced a card from an outside pocket. “Here,” he said, holding it between two of his fingers.
George took it and looked it over, now realising there was a sales pitch to follow. He’s better at this than I am, he had to admit. At the top of the textured card was the name of a company he was certain he knew but couldn’t quite place. “ACC?”
“Adaptive Cognition and Cybernetics. We specialise in cutting-edge, next-generation, technology. Our latest product was made for people just like you, who need more hours in a day than the good Lord provides.”
I left my work for this? George was less than impressed. “Thank you, but I...”
“Before you say no, how about I show you what I’m talking about?” Alexander picked up his briefcase and walked to the counter, where he placed it down and clicked open the catches. He kept his back turned until he was ready to present his product.
When he turned, George was immediately drawn forward, to inspect the object himself. He was fascinated by the curved design. It had a snowy-white casing, with delicately printed calligraphy underlined by a sweeping blue line, and a tiny, built-in, LED screen. It appeared as well-made as any of his clocks. Such a high degree of engineering, yet it remained a simple-looking thing.
“This,” Alexander said, not quite ready to hand over the device, “is our latest model. It’s called a Work Buddy.”
Interview with Ian Williams
What made you want to become a writer?
When I was young, around eight or nine years old, my father subscribed to a book service that sent him books (often Stephen King novels) to read every month. I would always watch him unpack these shiny new hardback books in awe. That led me to reading fiction obsessively, which ultimately led me to wanting to tell my own stories.
What inspired you to write The Clockmaker’s Tale: and other stories?
The stories I have enjoyed the most over the years are the ones that were making a point. Sci-Fi is said to hold a mirror up to society, to make us see where we may be going wrong. Writers such as Aldous Huxley, Isaac Asimov, Philip K Dick, George Orwell, and more recently, Margaret Atwood have done this to great effect.
That is what I have tried to do with this book. I wanted to tell stories that say something about our current world, stories that will make readers stop and think long after they have read them.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Clockmaker’s Tale: and other stories?
There is a varied collection of characters within the stories that make up The Clockmaker’s Tale. In the opening story, ‘10,000’, the protagonist is an android named R8CH-L. In ‘Post-Truth Tours’ it is a father who works aboard a submarine-yacht that hides a terrible secret. In the title story, we follow a humble clockmaker trying his best to fit into a technologically superior world. This is but a snippet of what is awaiting readers.
You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
I was blown away by Hugh Howey’s epic Wool trilogy when I first read it. Then again with the book, Sand, which left me craving more. I love how his tales always have a feel of the ocean about them, even when set in deep space, like Beacon 23. I have loved every single thing he has written. So, I guess, you could call me a fan!
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
My next project is a book set around a fictitious British town that is upturned by an unknown event that alters its timeline. I hope to have a completed first draft by the end of the year.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed exploring parts of the political divide that we currently face. Irrelevant of which side people may be on, I think we can all agree that things have become slightly more antagonistic of late. Some of the characters in these stories may not share the same views but they all share a common bond: apart, they are part of the problem. Together, they are part of the solution.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Ian Williams is a Science Fiction writer from the UK. He lives in a small town not far from London. Ian had a short career in the UK Court Service but was forced to quit that job when his medical condition worsened. Now, from the comfort of his wheelchair, he writes the stories he has always wanted to read. His writing spans lightyears of space, to near-future Earths; from small changes to society, to entirely new civilisations.
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3 comments:
Thank you for hosting!
Thanks for hosting!
Looks like a very interesting book.
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