Thursday, May 21, 2020

Clive Fleury Interview - Kill Code


Photo Content from Clive Fleury

Clive Fleury is an award-winning writer of books and screenplays, and a TV and film director and producer. He has worked for major broadcasters and studios on a wide variety of successful projects in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.

When Clive was young, a man behind a big desk who called himself a ‘Career Specialist’ fell about laughing when Clive told him he wanted to tell stories. The ‘Expert’ had other plans. “You should be an engineer, that’s what you should be,” he said. Clive ignored his advice and embarked upon a very different life.

Kill Code: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel is Clive’s latest book-the first in an exciting new dystopian science fiction series set in a world facing climate catastrophe where nothing is what it seems.

Fans of fantasy adventure books like 'The Hunger Games', 'The 5th Wave', and 'Divergent' will be captivated by 'Kill Code'.

Besides ‘Kill Code’, Clive also wrote 'Scary Lizzy' - a novel about an eight year old girl, Sarah Wilde, who befriends an African child ghost - and the teen action adventure book, 'The Boy Next Door ' - or what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn't all he seems. And he co-wrote 'Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four' - a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician. It was a Kindle Book Review Awards Semi-Finalist.

When he’s not writing, lazing on the beach, drinking coffee, reading, or going to the movies, Clive loves to travel – anywhere and anytime he has any spare cash.

        
  


What inspired you to pen your first novel.
I have penned TV and film screenplays for more than a few years and had always thought about writing a book, in much the way that many people do – always promising themselves that when they have more time they’ll give it a try. Of course most folks don’t, but, when my daughter was around eight years old I realized that kids of that age are really funny – often unintentionally – and give you a wealth of events to include in any book. What’s more books for kids of that age don’t have to be overly long. So, I thought, why not? Scary Lizzy was the result.

Tell us your latest news.

I can’t say my life is exactly full of exciting news currently – Coronavirus has put a stop to that. But, as the old cliché goes, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’ and staying at home has forced me to begin writing the second book in my ‘Code’ dystopian sci-fi trilogy. I’m hoping to get it out by about November this year.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way.
I’ve already written about my daughter’s influence, but my interest in writing began much earlier. I was around eleven years old when I read Planet of the Apes and it had a profound effect on me. I loved the book and it sparked the thought – “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun to write stories like this,” and that’s what I have done, albeit a long time later.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Actually I really enjoyed taking part in one of your podcasts. Before that I was a podcast virgin but I loved the experience.

What do you hope for readers to be thinking when they read your novel.
First and foremost I want readers to be entertained. I wrote Kill Code: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel as a page-turner that you could read in one or two sessions. I also wanted readers to think about the near-future world I have created. Hopefully, it will make them muse about global warming and wealth inequality.

In your new book Kill Code can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about it.
Kill Code: A Dystopian Science Fiction novel is set in the near future, in 2031 in a world decimated by climate catastrophe and where the rich, powerful and corrupt rule. The main protagonist, Hogan Duran, is an ex-cop, forced to resign in disgrace when he couldn’t save his partner from being shot. Now Hogan lives in poverty, just scraping by. But he’s given the chance to get back on his feet and join the National Security Council, a powerful paramilitary organization. If he passes the deadly entrance exam he’ll be rewarded with wealth and opportunity beyond his wildest dreams. But in a series of totally unexpected twists Hogan starts to uncover the terrible truth about the NSC. The book asks the question: ‘In a world gone wrong can one man actually make a difference, or will he die trying?’

What part of Hogan did you enjoy writing the most?
I know many writers say that their characters speak to them, and some roll their eyes at this thinking it’s BS, but in my case it is true. Like all good main characters Hogan Duran is a flawed protagonist and I really enjoyed finding out about these as he ‘talked to me.’

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be, and why?
I would love Winston Smith from George Orwell’s book 1984 to meet Hogan Duran. Both live in autocratic or near autocratic societies, but while Winston found things happened to him that he could do little about, Hogan is much more practical and capable. I think they would both enjoy each other’s company, and each learn something from their strengths and weaknesses.

TEN REASONS TO READ KILL CODE
  • 1. It’s a page turner
  • 2. It’s entertaining
  • 3. It has many surprise plot twists
  • 4. It makes you think.
  • 5. It’s action packed
  • 6. There’s something in there for romance lovers.
  • 7. It’s great for sci-fi dystopian fans.
  • 8. It’s good for those who enjoy stories about disgraced cops.
  • 9. You’ll love this book if you like tales about injustice
  • 10. It’s long enough to love, but short enough not to get bored.
What’s the most ridiculous fact you know?
To prevent themselves from drifting apart, sea otters hold hands while they sleep – ridiculous but sweet at the same time.

What according to you is your most treasured possession?
I don’t really have treasured possessions, more functional possessions and in this latter category I would put the laptop I’m currently using to answer this interview.

Best Date you ever had?
It was actually the best and worst date at the same time. I took my date to a fast food joint – yes I really am that tacky. Unfortunately as I went to squeeze the mustard out of the bottle it shot out and covered my shirt in bright yellow liquid. So, that’s the worst bit. But the best bit is that even after that my date stuck around with me, and she is now my wife.

If you could go back in time to one point in your life, where would you go?
Oh, I think to the point where I stood up in a University Union Meeting and poured sarcasm on a man who later became the head of the BBC. That was definitely not a good move, and if I could go back and rerun that moment in my life I would.

What event in your life would make a good movie?
I have one event that I could make into a great movie. It involves a beautiful woman, a dangerous drug dealer, and an up and coming marriage…. on second thoughts, sorry, I’ll keep that to myself for the film that I’m planning.

What was the best memory you ever had as a writer?
I don’t have one best memory, but lots – those times when readers write to me or leave reviews about how much they liked a book of mine and can’t wait to read the next one.

Where Can Readers find you?
So many places – On my website: www.clivefleurywriter.com
On Twitter: @clivefleury
On Instagram: @clivefleuryhere

And of course they can buy my book Kill Code: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel as either a paperback or ebook on Amazon HERE!

And in most big bookshops near you.

It's the year 2031. Our future. Their present. A world decimated by climate catastrophe, where the sun's heat is deadly and the ocean rises higher every day. A world ruled by the rich, powerful, and corrupt. A world where a good man can’t survive for long.

Hogan Duran was a good man once. He was a cop, forced to resign in disgrace when he couldn't save his partner from a bullet. Now Hogan lives on the fraying edges of society, serving cruel masters and scavenging trash dumps just to survive.

But after four years of living in poverty, Hogan finally gets a chance to get back on his feet. He's invited to join the National Security Council, the powerful paramilitary organization responsible for protecting the rich and powerful from the more unsavory elements of society. All he needs to do is pass their deadly entrance exam, and he'll be rewarded with wealth and opportunity beyond his wildest dreams.

But this ex-cop's path to redemption won't be easy. The NSC are hiding something, and as Hogan descends deeper and deeper into their world, he starts to uncover the terrible truth of how the powerful in this new world maintain their power...and just how far they will go to protect their secrets.

In a world gone wrong, can one man actually make a difference, or will he die trying?

Kill Code is the first novel in an exciting new dystopian science fiction series from the mind of the award-winning author, screenwriter, and director Clive Fleury.

Fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, and Divergent by Veronica Roth will be captivated by Kill Co
de.
You can purchase Kill Code at the following Retailers:
        

And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you CLIVE FLEURY for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a Copy of Kill Code: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel by Clive Fleury.
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4 comments:

  1. My mother used to have a monkey in a cage in her kitchen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A friend had a weird piece of art.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A big framed picture of the Pope. And even that's not really weird. I guess I can't think of anything weird I've seen in someone's else's home.

    ReplyDelete