Books / Foyles
Peter F Hamilton coming to Foyles
One of the biggest names in science fiction is appearing at Foyles next month. Peter F Hamilton, who lives near Bristol, spoke to Bristol 24/7 about his new book, Salvation, and his writing.
You’ve been writing for thirty years, and have written more than 20 books – do you tend to follow a similar writing process for each book?
Yes. I spend months writing out notes and chapter outlines, refining the story and characters before I’ll begin the actual book. Given most of the books have complex story structures, I need to know how it’s going to end before I start.
And after writing so many successful books, are you conscious of a committed readership when you’re writing?
Yes, and no. I know what people enjoy, and I hope that what I’m writing will provide that. But I would never shoehorn something in because of that.
Which writers have had the biggest influence on you?
Classically, Arthur C Clarke, Asimov, Anne McAffrey, Julian May. More recently Ian McDonald, Justina Robson, Neil Stevenson, Claire North.
Peter F Hamilton will be discussing his new novel, Salvation, with Gareth L Powell at Foyles on September 8.
Your work is often labelled as space opera – do you think that’s a fair description, and what does that term mean to you?
It’s completely accurate. To me it’s a label that says big bold and full of ideas, not just about shiny gadgets but the society which will evolve from incorporating what today is just a far-fetched concept or idea.
Your novels contain a lot of scientific and technological detail. How much research goes into each book?
This is the how long is a piece of string question. I’ll do as much research as I need to understand a particular scientific field or machine. That way I can include it into the story and have it make sense.
Your new novel, Salvation, deals in part with impending doom for humanity. How close do you think that is for us? Are we in peril?
I don’t think potential for peril has changed much in my life. We have always faced a variety of threats and dangers. What has altered is our perception of it. The internet, social media and rolling news have made us much more aware of the difficulties we face, and how small the world actually is.
Salvation by Peter F Hamilton is published on September 6. Peter will be in conversation with fellow science fiction author, Gareth L Powell at Foyles, Cabot Circus on Saturday September 8 at 7.30pm. For more information, visit: http://www.foyles.co.uk/Public/Events/Detail.aspx?eventid=3755
Read more: Interview with Gareth L Powell
Photo of Peter F Hamilton by Neil Lang
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