Robert A Boyd

Hello!

I started my writing career more or less by accident in 2002. It was Summer Break, and Chicago in July and August is no fun, so not being a complete fool, I spent much of that summer in the air conditioned Junior College computer center. I have loved science fiction and fantasy since I was in grade school, so having nothing much to do, I thought I would try my hand at a few short stories...

...Ten years and seven + novels later...

It's addictive. Robert A Heinlein once commented that 'You never stop writing'. So true!

I especially love taking the well worn tropes and putting new twists on them - like a humorous First Contact novel written by the aliens as a lurid tell-all memoir, or stories which delve into the tortured soul of humanity's greatest soldier.

My favorite authors are Niven and Pournelle, James Tiptree, and Harry Turtledove - authors who combine stunning concepts and vivid imagery with highly realistic settings and prose. These authors, and more like them, have inspired me to an ultra-realistic style which plays down the whiz-bang tech which dominates the literature today, and focusses on ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances who have to fight their way out of a bad situation by wit and perseverance.

Having done the New York thing ad-nausium, I finally decided to go self-published. More than that, I have decided to dedicate my works to promoting self-published and small press authorship. My non-profit imprint, The Written Wyrd, works to provide technical advice and resources to the up-and-coming authors of the world. Your book purchases go to help that effort.

A few personal notes: I am a life-long model railroader, and have a fascination with history and cultures. I don't own a TV or a car (and don't miss them). I have long been a meat-and-potatoes type, and love cooking. I am known for my wicked sense of humor - you dare not give me a straight line! - and I have been accused by more than one friend as being a sentimental wuss.

These days I live in Tacoma, Washington, which is easily the nicest region of the US of A I have experienced. When I'm not working on my writing or my models, I stare at the walls a lot. It keeps me out of trouble.

My best to you all, and enjoy my writing!

The Bob