A Slice of Cake With... Edward Swing

This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Edward Swing.

Edward is a writer of stories, software developer, an avid gamer, and otaku. He has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, learned taekwondo, traveled both within the United States and internationally, and studied diverse topics including astronomy, mythology, and mathematics. He lives with his wife, three children, and several pampered cats.

What kind of books do you write?

I currently have four novels out. In the New Pantheon series (Awakening and Conundrums), five teens in our world gain immortality and magical abilities but learn that the Titans and giants (and in Conundrums, faeries) of myth are real. As they explore their talents, they discover powerful immortals who have shaped history and myth.

Another of my books, Dance of the Gozen, chronicles the struggles of a military mecha pilot who wrestles with guilt and anguish over his aunt's death amidst an ongoing conflict. He also faces challenges integrating with his unit and yearns to prove himself to his teammates.

Finally, The Wondrous Wayfarer narrates the tale of a boy from our world who follows an ogre into a mysterious vehicle that travels between worlds, only to find he cannot return to Earth. He meets a diverse cast of bizarre characters and explores exotic worlds, but he wants to find a home. 

Can you describe your writing why?

I love exploring the possible - fantastic worlds, exotic realms, far-future technology, and so forth. But at the same time, I want to show that despite having magical powers or futuristic mecha, we are still human.

At the same time, I enjoy writing about other intelligent creatures and their impressions of humans. Too often in fiction, we see beings - aliens or magical races - that are just humans with a slightly different culture. But how would we interact with an alien who communicates through magnetic waves? Could we even learn to communicate? How could we understand each other, not only from a linguistic perspective but culturally too?

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

This is a scene from Dance of the Gozen where Capt. Tann Danre and his partner Lt. Jyurri Jensen are escorting school kids through the mech hangar on a tour.

One of the youngest girls, gazing at the Lancelot and Centurion standing beside each other, blurted, “It looks like they’re married!” Several other children laughed.

Tann blushed, not knowing how to respond. Jyurri came to his rescue. “Wow! You’re right! They do look like they’re married! Can you imagine a wedding dress that big?” More of the kids laughed.

“So why do most of them look like girls?” another boy asked.

Tann explained, “Well, they look like women because women have a lower center of balance than men. These third-generation mechs—the Gozens—move exactly like their pilots. But it’s easier for them to balance if they’re shaped like women. Ten standard years ago, we couldn’t even build a male-model Gozen that could walk for very long, but the Lancelot is the first male Knight.” Tann felt a familiar, reassuring pride as he gestured towards his Gozen. “Now follow me and I’ll show you where we stored some mechs we captured in the last Kicker raid.”

Tell us about your latest project

I'm in the early stages of writing Pride of the Gozen, the sequel to Dance of the Gozen. In this story, assassins threaten the fragile accord between humanity and an alien race, the Hielcoo. Capt. Tann Danre and his partner, Lt. Jyurri Jensen must search for answers, visiting multiple worlds and facing dangerous opponents, both inside and outside of their mechs.

What is your favourite cake?

A good spice cake is always a tasty treat.

You can connect with Ed here:

Website (still in development): http://wordsbyedward.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Edward-Swing/e/B08DHHQCB3
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edward.swing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-swing-bb692b51/
Blog: https://wordsbyedward.tumblr.com

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Nathan Scammell. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

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Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.