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In August 2021, Dean worked on a short film called “Musketeer”. The lead actor was Kevin R. McNally (Pirates Of The Caribbean, Valkyrie, Supernatural, Downtown Abbey, Designated Survivor, Doctor Who and many many others). During the shoot Dean and Kevin got chatting; Kevin mentioned he’d written a book and was looking for a publisher, Dean (loving the kismet of the situation and thinking that Kevin was a top bloke and somebody he’d really love to work with again) said he’d take a look and the rest, as they are going to say, is history. DEMAIN is therefore very very honoured to announce that the end of January 2022 will see publication of Kevin R. McNally’s science-fiction novel, Sons Of Sol. The cover is by Adrian Baldwin. The book will be available initially on Amazon but Kevin will also have copies available at the various conventions etc that he attends around the world (and more on that in due course). At the end of 2021, Dean and Kevin sat down for a quick chat about Sons of Sol and generally about Kevin and his writing…
DEMAIN PUBLISHING: Hello Kevin! Great to speak to you again. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year. Let’s get down to it then. What was your first introduction to the sci-fi genre? KEVIN R. MCNALLY: Hello Dean. I guess it was watching ‘50’s sci-fi films on TV when I was a boy, films by George Pal and the like. I also discovered the books of Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov at that time. DP: I’ve personally always had a fondness for sci-fi though I haven’t written much in the genre (that may change in 2022) but I really loved Clarke’s short stories and novels. I haven’t read Asimov too much but want to put that right. From what I know, I can definitely see some links/nods to both authors in Sons Of Sol which to me is a bleedin’ good thing. In writing Sons Of Sol, did you have to do much research? KRM: I researched all the science because I wanted it to be accurate even if a little far fetched. DP: Personally I think the science and the theories behind the science works, so well done. Okay, so perhaps an elephant in the room – you’re well known as an actor, that’s your day job (so to speak), why did you write a novel? KRM: I had wanted to write a sci-fi book for many years but it was only when I realised that it should be comic in a style that the idea really came together. DP: Yeah, for me, I really like that blend. As I’ve said to you previously I can seriously see this as a film and (sorry I tend to do this, so forgive me) I found it very ‘in feeling’ with Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element (1997). That’s a good thing by the way haha. Yes the plots are different but if I saw in the trades that Luc was going to make Sons Of Sol into a film I’d be jumping for joy and first in the queue (well maybe not first as I’m sure you’d be there before me, but you get my drift hopefully – okay, I’ll stop). The characters then in Sons Of Sol are they based on real people? KRM: The two leads are roughly based on two of my favourite comic characters. One from literature and the other a famous performer but I’ll leave you to work that out. DP: In the time I’ve known you (and from what I’d seen previously) you’re a very in demand actor and always flying here there and everywhere. How did you find time to write Sons Of Sol and with that in mind, what was your writing process like? KRM: I was in LA when I started it and not very busy. I would get up, drink coffee and write for five hours a day. Guess I had my first draft in about a month but then the honing took much longer. DP: That’s pretty damn cool and well done. I am yet to write a full blown novel but am going to put some time aside this year to remedy that so am always on the look out for other authors’ routines. Okay, so you mentioned Clarke / Asimov – who do you think are the best sci-fi writers? KRM: When I started to think about this I decided to real as much great sci-fi as I could as I could and I found the Gollancz series SF Masterworks and read nearly all of them. DP: Oh that’s a great series isn’t it – so many amazing writers (and books) there to choose from. It’s just popped into my mind but my dad was a massive fan of the western writer, Louis L’Amour. I remember once looking through his vast collection one time I was visiting and my eyes were drawn to a spine which said: The Haunted Mesa. Westerns didn’t really do it for me but I decided to give it a go to find that it was a sci-fi novel! Quite a good one too. Do you have a favourite ‘under-appreciated’ sci-fi novel? KRM: Yes, I love Flowers for Algernon [by Daniel Keyes]. DP: I hadn’t heard of that […does internet check…] – oh that looks brilliant, will check it out asap. As we know, sci-fi is a broad church, but what does ‘sci-fi’ mean to you? KRM: The best sci-fi is often an allegory for the world we live in now. The Number One sci-fi book on many lists is The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. The idea of soldiers travelling across the galaxy to fight an alien war and returning home to a future world they don't recognise due to time dilation becomes very poignant when you discover that Haldeman was a Vietnam veteran. DP: Definitely, definitely. Science fiction has a long history. Which era do you consider the most effective period in whole history of the genre? KRM: I’m old fashioned. It’s the Golden Era from the late forties to the sixties for me. DP: Agreed! Okay, so for somebody who has worked in sci-fi on tv (thought you were very good in the recent Dr Who by the way) and now in written form – is it more popular on tv than in books etc? KRM: I think it’s equally popular in both media. DP: As I said before, I think Sons Of Sol would make a cracking film, if it was going to be made, who would you want in it? KRM: Darn, I should have written more old blokes into it! DP: I like the way Sons Of Sol finishes, hinting perhaps there could be others… KRM: Sure, if people like it and it finds a market there are two sequels planned. DP: Because of being and your standing as an actor, did you ever consider writing Sons Of Sol under a pseudonym? KRM: I actually did for TV as I thought I would be taken more seriously but for novels I’d like people to know its me. DP: And I’m glad you did. So last one Kevin, do you interact a lot with your fans? Any funny stories to tell? KRM: I like to interact with my fans. I attend a lot of conventions and enjoy them very much. Even when, as once happened, they thought my assistant was the celebrity and asked me how much she was charging for an autograph! Haha love that. Kevin, thanks a million for your time. Really enjoyed our chat, a great way to end 2021 and begin 2022. I wish you all the best with Sons Of Sol. Kevin R. McNally can be contacted direct: Twitter: @exkevinmcnally Instagram: exkevinmcnally
4 Comments
8/1/2022 02:54:54 am
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November 2023
AuthorDean M. Drinkel |