A Post-Apocalyptic Interview with Stuart Olver

Our next anthology, Tales from the Ruins, is going to be a cataclysmic one! It will be released on the 25th of February but the Kindle version is available for pre-order today at just 99c instead of $3.99. To celebrate the imminent publication of the first Black Beacon Books anthology exclusively dedicated to post-apocalyptic fiction, we’re interviewing the contributing authors. Behold the maniacal workings of their troubled minds!

Hi Stuart,

Let’s make the first question a lighthearted one...hmm...okay, got it! Is your story simply an entertaining piece of fiction or are you giving us a peek at the terrifying fate tomorrow will unleash upon us?

Maybe things won’t get quite as bad as my story depicts, but one thing I can be sure of is that humanity will always be treading the thin edge that separates darkness from light.

What is it that makes post-apocalyptic fiction so appealing? Would the world be better off if more people read this genre? 

Who doesn’t love reading about horrible people doing horrible things? Because we know that the future could never really turn out that bad, could it ? Because humans learn from their past mistakes, don’t they?

Do you have a favourite post-apocalyptic author?

I’ve always loved The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Its portrayal of the relationship between a father and son is breathtaking.

Some people like to listen to music while reading. Which song can you imagine providing the soundtrack to your story? 

Slipknot’s ‘People=Shit’ mixed in with Sparks’ ‘Left Out in the Cold’.

If you woke up in your story tomorrow, what would you do?

Given that I’m a big coward, I’d probably ingratiate myself with the nearest powerful warlord.

There are no firearms or ammunition. You have to choose an everyday object from the home or garden as your weapon of choice—what’s in your hands? 

Does a border collie count?

Time to get more personal. Tell us three interesting facts about yourself. 

I used to have a private pilot’s licence.
I played bass in some pretty average garage bands.
I’ve skied in Africa.

What do you aim to give your readers? 

Hopefully they’ll enjoy a good adventure story with some interesting plot twists.

What are you working on now? 

A killer opening for my first novel. Maybe involving a killer.

Where can we find you online? 

I’m on Instagram at olver.stuart. My brother and I maintain a website for our ‘Dawn to Dusk Publishing’ imprint (coffee-table books): robolver.com 

Thanks for playing along. Good luck in the wastelands!