Author Archives: Wayne Smallman

About Wayne Smallman

When you're young, you think you know everything and life is indistinguishable from a game. It's only when you get older — when you begin to doubt the authenticity of the event and question the rules — that experience begins to count for something. And to quote the inimitable Forbes Bingley, a recurring character of several novels: "Life makes you stronger, at a price." In a sense, life has been preparation — practice, perhaps — for this wild stab at being an author. After all, how hard can it be, putting one word after another? Of course, like anything else in life, you only get out what you put in. At times, writing is both cathartic and semi autobiographical, where I catch myself looking backwards whimsically, lustily, with regret, a wry smile, a despondent glower or growing doubt. But writing is also a journey, one with no intentional destination, just waypoints I may navigate towards from time to time, at leisure. Though I must admit, it's a journey I would prefer not to make alone.

Project Status — Remembrance

Remembrance is a mix of horror fantasy, interwoven with the tenuous threads of science fiction, and it has progressed to an advanced developmental stage. It’s a novel I’m actually quite excited about.

“Worse things lurk in darkness and shadows than the evil of men.”

Lucidity

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Lucidity is the latest science fiction thriller novella by Wayne Smallman, author of post-apocalyptic thriller Earth Day. When dreams of New York — the city that never sleeps — turn into a nightmare.

In dreams, you’re never alone.

“On the verge of a major breakthrough in sleep therapy, Barbara Ostermann, an expert in disruptive sleep disorders, uncovers a remarkable conspiracy that strikes at the very heart of her work and that of her colleagues, Martin — her occasional lover — and Anna — the gregarious though disillusioned young technical prodigy — who team up to help avert an international crisis.

Enlisting the help of her brother, Karl, Barbara seeks to disentangle this plot to assassinate the elusive and mercurial DeShaun Gates, a strident campaigner for racial equality, on a collision course with the authorities.

Tireless in his efforts, Karl finds himself in New York, where events are not as they appear and his dream of averting disaster skims along the abyss of a monumental nightmare.”

Lucidity is available NOW on Amazon

Lucidity is available to buy right now for Amazon Kindle.

The science fact behind the fiction

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When I tell people I write but don’t read science fiction, they either think I’m lying, stupid or insane. The fact is, reading is to me synonymous with work, and while I enjoy doing what I do for a living, as a task, reading isn’t one of those things I enjoy.

So when I read science fiction and come across mention of rocket ships, or talk of clunky robots with tubular arms in the 23rd century I just switch off, because without authenticity or an attempt to explain why such incongruities or implausibilities should be believed, my ability to suspend disbelief is, quite frankly, severely impaired.

While I’m not looking for validation or vindication, it’s always helpful to know others agree with me, to help formulate a sturdy defence — a defence, ironically enough, coming from another science fiction writer:

“I work with a lot of scientists and one of the frustrating things they find is that all this fascinating stuff is being done which doesn’t find its way into science fiction. They say look at the science fact pages – they’re so much more imaginative than science fiction.”

Just like the science colleagues of Geoff Ryman suggest, I read huge amounts of science fact, and that’s the only fuel I need power my own person “What if?” engine.

Project Status — Lucidity

Okay, I sprung this one out of nowhere, but Lucidity has been on my mind for quite some time, honest!

I’ve written the first draft and sent copies off to friends for an examination. Also, because the principle characters are German, I’ve been in contact with a German acquaintance to ensure the cultural references and dialogue are consistent.

Just so you know, Lucidity is another novella, though less than half the length of Earth Day. Anyway, here’s the synopsis…

On the verge of a major breakthrough in sleep therapy, Barbara Ostermann, an expert in disruptive sleep disorders, uncovers a remarkable conspiracy that strikes at the very heart of her work and that of her colleagues, Martin — her occasional lover — and Anna — the gregarious though disillusioned young prodigy, who team up to help avert an international crisis.

Enlisting the help of her brother, Karl, they seek to disentangle this hidden and secretive plot to assassinate the elusive and mercurial DeShaun Gates, a strident campaigner for racial equality, on a collision course with the authorities.

Tireless in his effort, Karl finds himself in New York, where events are not as they appear, and his dream of averting disaster skims along the abyssal of a monumental nightmare.