Here is the interview with Karina Fabian, one of the editors for Infinite Space Infinite God, followed by her virtual tour schedule - so you can check out the other interviews and reviews posted on other people's blogs - enjoy - E :)
Q: What's your new book about?
K: Infinite Space, Infinite God is thought-provoking sci-fi with a Catholic twist.
The 15 stories cover the gamut of future science, from genetic engineering to asteroid mining to interstellar travel. They span the topics of sci-fi: time travel, space opera, dystopia, psychological thrillers and sci-fi mystery. Finally, they examine the Catholic worldview in the challenges of the future, from evangelizing to aliens to determining the soul-status of artificially created humanoids, to religious orders and even saintly miracles.
It won the EPPIE award for best electronically published science fiction of 2006 and is coming out in print August 15 from Twilight Times Books. www.twilighttimesbooks.com.
Q: You've been doing a lot of interviews this month on your virtual book tour. (Readers can see the full tour schedule below and at http://isigsf.tripod.com). You've mentioned several times that you chose the stories according to three principles: engaging writing, believable use of science or "fictional science" and sound Catholic doctrine. For a change, tell us what really drew you to each the stories?
Karina: Summarizing stories -
The Harvest, Lori Z. Scott: The characters drew us to this one. Barry, the priest, had a strong faith, but also had doubts and needed a push now and then, whether from his father or from the human/animal hybrid who needed his help. We also liked how Lori treated the question of whether artificially created humanoids have souls.
Hopkins’ Well, Adrienne Ray: A lot of folks tried to do the "transporter story," but Adrienne was the only one who did it uniquely and compellingly. The horror Private Talbot felt when he realizes what happened to him, Riggen's March-it's all a little spooky and very cool.
Brother John, Colleen Drippe’: Colleen had written a Lost Rythar story for our previous anthology, Leaps of Faith, so hers was a no-brainer to include. Colleen writes great adventure stories--lots of action.
Interstellar Calling, Karina L. Fabian: This one has a funny story. We had an alien abduction story chosen but at the last minute, the author pulled it. We loved the idea, however, and Karina decided that, rather than change the introductions, she'd try her hand at a similar theme. It wrote itself fast, and has gotten a lot of compliments from reviewers.
Our Daily Bread, Karina and Robert Fabian: We wanted to do a story in the asteroid belt, and several things wove their way in--the idea of worship in a remote area, which is a little more difficult for Catholicism, Karina's dad's deaconship and the increasing responsibilities he faced, and the idea of having more than one Calling in life.
Brother Jubal and the Womb of Silence, Tim Meyers: Tim has incredible talent to produce strong images with little actual description. The flow is absolutely perfect for life on the moon and the interweaving of poetry and meditations transformed this "man on the moon" story into literature.
Mask of the Ferret, Ken Pick and Alan Loewen: This was just fun! So far out in the future that it reads more like Star Wars than Star Trek, the detail in the universe, even down to the slang, made it easy to believe.
Little Madeleine, Simon Morden: Again, this was a unique idea, but what really drew us were the characters and the plausibility of Simon's world, even if not his order of bodyguard nuns. Madeleine could be any teen seeking a way out of a desperate home situation; it was easy to get drawn into her plight.
The Hosts of the Envoy, Alex Lobdell: Alex had written a story about High Hopes for Leaps of Faith and we adored the character, so we specifically asked for more adventures of the lost test-pilot/canary astronaut. Once again, he gave us a fun and engaging story with a uniquely Catholic twist.
Understanding, J Sherer: By writing a police thriller set in the future, J impressed us by giving us a story that met all our standards but wasn’t the usual sci-fi trope.
Stabat Mater, Rose Dimond: This has been our most controversial inclusion because a woman is ordered to accept the calling as priest, but we really enjoyed this story because of the depth and complexity of the faith of the characters, the realistic treatment of the troubled girls who are visited by Mary, and the idea that there are no easy answers.
Canticle of the Wolf, Alan Loewen: Alan actually submitted this to us for Leaps of Faith, but we felt it a little too "Catholic" for that anthology. Karina loved it so much, however, that she'd kept it for years, and when we started this anthology, it was our first acceptance. Karina has always loved St. Francis, and Alan presented a new take on his story while keeping the gentle, loving aspects of his character intact.
These Three, Karina and Robert Fabian: The idea came from a song about a spacer who was severely injured in a ship accident, but must crawl several decks to get to the rescue beacon to call for help. The imagery of the song inspired us to write our version of the accident and character, and what better angle than to have the patron saint of spacers help him in his struggle?
Far Traveler, Colleen Drippe’: Colleen took two tropes that have been done to death-- time travel and witnessing the crucifixion--and made them fresh. The other cool thing about Colleen's stories is that they don't read like what most folks expect from religious fiction, yet they have a strong faith message.
Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff: We loved it and were disturbed by it at the same time. Just an incredible story--'nuff said.
Q: Obviously, you're pleased with the book, but what are you hopes for it?
K: Naturally, we hope that it sells well; but even more, we'd like sci-fi fans of all religious persuasions to enjoy the stories and think about the issues presented. After all, that's what good sci-fi's for.
AUGUST
DATE: Place to visit
1: www.doylebooks.com (summary)
www.kaleidosouls.info, Day 1 (summary)
2: www.kaleidosouls.info, Day 2 (interview)
http://writetype.blogspot.com (guest blogger)
3: www.thewritingjungle.blogspot.com (interview)
4: www.freewebs.com/mary-andrews (interview)
5: http://writeurthoughts.blogspot.com (interview)
6: www.catholicfiction.net (interview)
www.elysabethstories.blogspot.com (interview)
7: http://timewithtannia.tripod.com/ (interview)
www.writeandwhine.blogspot.com/ (interview)
8: http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.shtml
http://www.shoutlife.com/jillelizabethnelson
http://www.myspace.com/jillelizabethnelson (interview)
9: http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/ (interview)
10: http://cmwforum.blogspot.com (review)
11: www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com (interview)
12: www.thedarkphantom.wordpress.com (interview)
7:00-9:00 PM: www.writerschatroom.com (Live Chat)
13: www.lostgenreguild.com (review)
http://gloriaoren.blogspot.com (interview)
14: http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/dragons-of-the-pyramid-book-reviews.html (review)
15: http://beverlyjean.livejournal.com (interview)
www.virtualbooktourdenet.blogspot.com (trailer)
16: http://cfvici.blogspot.com/ (review)
http://catharsys.wordpress.com/ (interview)
http://cdrippe.wordpress.com (summary)
17: http://www.annmargaretlewis.com/ (interview)
18: 12 Noon: Live Chat: http://jolinsdell.tripod.com
http://blog.myspace.com/grace1979 (review)
19: karen Syed (interview and summary)
http://blog.myspace.com/grace1979 (review)
20: www.marilynmeredith.blogspot.com (interview)
21: www.snoringscholar.blogspot.com (review)
22: http://solshine7.blogspot.com (review and interview)
http://scifijournalist.blogspot.com (review and interview)
23: www.jamiesonwolf.blogspot.com (interview)
24: www.authoralley.blogspot.com (interview)
http://www.karenee.blogspot.com/ (interview)
www.disturbingreviews.blogspot.com (interview)
25: www.thebookpedler.wordpress.com (interview)
www.paulinebjones.blogspot.com (interview)
26: www.livejournal.com/~paulinebjones (interview)
27: http://penelopemarzec.blogspot.com (guest blogger)
http://aspiringauthor.blogspot.com/ (interview)
http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/ (interview)
28: http://www.myspace.com/happywriter (guest blogger)
http://zyphe.blogspot.com (review)
http://360.yahoo.com/raeshylle (review)
29: 12 Noon: Live Chat "Infinite Space, Infinite God and the Infinite Possibilities of Book Marketing" http://www.virginiajennings.zoomshare.com/5.html
30: www.noveljourney.blogspot.com (interview)
31: http://afrankreview.blogspot.com/ (review)
I don't know when the review will be posted on my site but I will squeeze it in - probably near the end of the month - E :)
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