As part of our SFFWorld.com’s Member Spotlight Series, Nila interviews Todd Newton, avid fantasy reader and writer.
Hello Todd, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to chat with me. I promise I’ll make this quick.
Todd Newton: Thanks for having me but no need to rush; I’m more the glacial type. If I liked quick, I’d write short stories (zing).
SFFWorld: What’s your SFFWorld.com’s forum alias and why did you pick it?
Todd Newton: I’m afraid it’s simply tdnewton, just like my Twitter, as a play on the whole first-two-initials thing that authors are notorious for doing. Of course, I publish under my regular name, not my initials, much to the chagrin of a famous game show host and motivational speaker. I do find the origin of the initials thing very interesting, although I have met some very pretentious male authors who do it for no discernible reason at all.
SFFWorld: How did you discover SFFWorld.com and why did you decide to join?
Todd Newton: Originally, I was looking for a community of SF/F readers and writers which is what landed me on the forums first, then the site as a whole for reviews and recommendations and other content. I decided to join because I didn’t have anything local that fit what I needed (I had a writer’s group but I was the only person writing fantasy), and I wanted that discussion/community to include me.
SFFWorld: How long have you been a member and what keeps you coming back?
Todd Newton: I’ve been a member for quite a few years, but I tend to go through long periods of just lurking instead of trying to contribute (true where all internet forums are involved, honestly). I’ve met some interesting folks here, but in general the community aspect is very important to me as an author. Writing books is a pretty solitary activity if you let it be, and just knowing there are others with a similar addiction to mine helps me make it through.
SFFWorld: What’s your favorite book (genre or not)?
Todd Newton: That’s so hard to say, honestly. I have a ton of favorites, both current and historical, and I love them for varying reasons. C.S. Friedman’s Coldfire Trilogy really got me into Fantasy, the setting of that world is just brilliant. Patrick Rothfuss is a huge current favorite, his mastery over language is just such a pleasure to read. Richard K. Morgan’s Land Fit for Heroes series is enjoyable on so many levels. I can’t wait for the next book in the Warded Man series from Peter V. Brett. And of course GRRM’s Song of Ice and Fire — I’m especially excited about how this has brought Fantasy into the mainstream so well (not that it wasn’t, but Fantasy is so much more popular now than it used to be thanks to HBO spending the necessary time/money and doing the books justice). I pretty much only read genre, and the occasional book on writing. Literary fiction bores me fast, and it takes some really special Sci-Fi to keep me interested.
SFFWorld: What’s your favorite author (genre or not)?
Todd Newton: Everyone in the last question plus Jim Butcher, J.V. Jones, Scott Lynch, Gail Carriger, and I even have a soft spot for J.K. Rowling. It’s really an ever-growing list.
SFFWorld: What’s your favorite genre (science fiction, fantasy, horror, steampunk, etc)?
Todd Newton: Fantasy all the way. I lean more Epic than Urban, but I have room for pretty much anything as long as there is magic, action, high stakes, and adventure. Not a huge fan of vampires (or werewolves) and kind of wish we as authors would try harder to invent something new rather than rehash the old stuff with a coat of 21st-century paint.
SFFWorld: Where’s your favorite place to read?
Todd Newton: Anywhere I can get a decent cup of coffee, have some unobtrusive ambient music/sound, and a comfortable spot of near-solitude. So basically either my bedroom or my local Starbucks, but I try to read wherever (thankfully there are phones and Kindles that make this easier).
SFFWorld: Favorite con (convention)?
Todd Newton: COSine. It’s a small-ish con held in Colorado Springs every year, with the same enthusiastic crowd of Heinlein fans (who also love Fantasy for the most part). Great panels for up-and-comers or just those who want to learn, always a great GoH and fun programming, plus it’s local to me and inexpensive. Pretty much all cons are great, though. Very different to attend as an author vs. a fan, but fun either way.
SFFWorld: What do you do when you are not reading or messing around on SFFWorld.com?
Todd Newton: I have a day job in IT, a dog I’m raising and possibly showing, I love to cook, and play a bit of Final Fantasy XIV … when I’m not reading and writing.
SFFWorld: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Todd Newton. Anything else you’d like to add?
Todd Newton: I really appreciate the opportunity! My third novel Scions of the Shade just came out, and is available through the usual channels (Amazon). I actually “tested” an early version of the first chapter here on the SFFWorld forums, years ago, and now the book is complete and ready to be consumed. If anyone would like a copy for review purposes, they can contact me directly; I would love some attention on this work because I feel it’s a major step forward for me. Thanks a lot.
© 2014 N. E. White / Todd Newton / SFFWorld.com
