Peter, many thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. Without further ado…
Your latest novel is Salvation, the first book in the Salvation Sequence. Can you tell us a little about it?
Its set in 2204, and things are going well for the human race. Several exoplanets around nearby stars are being terraformed, large space habitats are mining the asteroids, the sun is being used directly to provide cheap clean power. It’s looking like a golden age. Then an unknown alien ship is found on the edge of explored space. A team of experts is sent to determine if it’s a threat, with the members chosen for their connection to various political factions. What they decide will ultimately affect our role in the galaxy.
I know many writers have a vault of ideas to use – how long has the idea for the Salvation books been brewing in your mind?
The way I structured the book is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. With each member of the expedition telling their story as they travel, which provides the background to the universe.
Did you want to do anything explicitly different here than in your previous novels?
It’s set in a new universe, which gave me the opportunity to explore how we would progress if we became wealthier as a species. There’s a movement in the book which is striving for a more equal society, not just in terms of wealth but gender as well.
You’ve spent the best part of 16 years writing on-and-off in the Commonwealth Universe. How did it feel to approach a new series in a new universe after so long in familiar territory?
Refreshing, and nervous. I know I can write in the Commonwealth, but starting from scratch yet again is a real challenge. It’s also quite a good thing for a writer to shake things up every few years.
Of course, there is the inevitable question: are you done with the Commonwealth?
Never say never. I currently have no story under development for it. But if I do get an idea which fits then I’d be happy to write it.
How do you typically spend your time when working on a book? Do you have a set routine, word count, or goal each day/week?
Rather boringly, I keep office hours. The morning is spent going over what I wrote the previous day, revising and polishing as best I can. Then the afternoon is spent writing. I don’t do word counts or ty to write a certain amount each day, that would be too depressing. Authors always miss deadlines, and I’m no different. There’s no need to constantly remind yourself of that.
Salvation brings with it a striking new cover style for you, and one that’s been used to re-cover the Night’s Dawn trilogy. Given the amount of art that has graced the covers of your books over the years and languages, do you have a favourite?
That’s a little unfair. Let’s put it this way, I have large prints of all the Jim Burns covers for the Night’s Dawn trilogy and the Commonwealth Saga on my office wall.
Do you manage to read for pleasure while working on a novel? If so, anything we could keep an eye out for to fill the gap between books?
I don’t read anything like as much as I want to. I’m waiting for Ian McDonald’s final book in his Luna trilogy. There’s also a new Justina Robson book coming out soon, I writer I always enjoy.
There’s been a wide variety of sci-fi adaptions for the big and small screen of late. Have you been watching any in particular that you would recommend?
I enjoyed Altered Carbon on Netflix, which had the freedom to expand and develop ideas from the original book.
Finally, are there any adaptions of your works in the pipeline?
There’s always some. The development period for adaptations is measured in geological ages. When anything finally gets the green light, I’ll let you know.
Salvation by Peter F Hamilton is published by Pan Mac on 6th September (price £20 hardback)
https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/peter-f-hamilton/salvation
