Hi Stephen!

As you are a debut author (Congratulations!) please tell us a little about your first work – The Adamantine Palace - how would you ‘pitch’ your novel in 20 words or less?

A blistering rollercoaster of sex, murder, betrayals, poisonings and dragons. Machiavelli meets Robert E Howard with added Smaugs.

What does it mean to you to be nominated for the ‘David Gemmell Legend Award’ AND the ‘Morningstar, Best Newcomer Award?’

It means I have two chances to win a really cool axe! Or something. There are axes for the Morningstar as well, right? Right? Axes rock. (....erm no, actually, it's an equally lovely, but non-lethal trophy! We're not made of axes you know  ;-) )

Who (writer or otherwise) was an inspiration for your writing?

More recently, KJ Parker and Neal Stephenson. If you go back aways then the list gets long. Arthur C Clarke, Joseph Conrad, Jane Austen, Robert E Howard, Douglas Adams, Richard Adams and and and...

(Let's put you on the spot now!) Out of the others nominated for the award, who, aside from yourself, would you vote for?

Rats and the Ruling Sea. Robert is possibly the nicest, most humble man you'll ever meet and the Chathrand story has more creativity and imagination packed into them than I can remember seeing in a single book for a very long time.

What key attributes do feel you bring to the table with your writing?

One thing David Gemmell always got right (for my tastes at least) even in his weaker books was his commitment to getting on with the story. The pace and the action never relent for long. I admire that and I think I bring a similar quality to all my stories too.

There's something else, too, but you don't see much of it in The Adamantine Palace. I was educated a physicist and I can't abide a lack of structure. Ask me again after King of the Crags comes out. Then we might start talking about world-building and characters and story arcs.

In fact, there's a lot you don't get to see in the first book. It's a slice off the glittery surface of something. If you stick with it, you'll find some much darker undercurrents. I bring subversion. Heh heh...

Which character within your nominated book was the most fun to write and why do you think that readers will relate to (or empathise with) them?

Jehal and Snow were the most fun to write. Jehal because he's so slimy. He's clever, witty, devious and runs rings around almost everyone, yet he has this one immense blind spot (I can say no more). He's the one you love to hate, not someone you want to be. Snow was fun because it meant looking into the mind of something quite alien. You can try and empathise with Snow if you like, but you won't like where it takes you. If you want characters you can empathise with, go to The King of the Crags.

Which of your characters are most like you and why?

There are bits of me in most of the main characters. But then there are bits of me in a lot of real people too, if you look hard enough. A lot of my significant characters tend to be quite driven and yet occasionally/constantly question what they're doing. That probably comes from me.

What of life’s little addictions could you not live without?

Ice cream.

On long journeys, reading is often the pleasure of choice, whose work will you grab at the airport to ensure a good journey?

Got one of those coming up fairly soon actually. Something small and lightweight, I expect. Toni Morrison's A Mercy has been waiting for me for a while as has KJ Parker's Purple and Black.

Thanks Stephen & good luck in the polls!