An exiled Bristolian currently living just outside London, Robert got back into writing three years ago. Since then he has had his first YA novel (Aphrodite’s Dawn) published by Proxima, and has had a half dozen short stories published in various e-zines and anthologies.

He blogs at http://www.rbharkess.com

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Garret’s world is six floors tall by five hundred people wide, and he despairs of ever being happy. When a voice in his head offers the 14-year old an escape from his boring life, he has no idea how apparently being offered everything he could want or need might change him. With his best friend Pitr in tow Garret seizes the opportunity, and their universe is thrown into confusion when they are told they are on an asteroid-sized sleeper-ship. The asteroid’s computer has been damaged, and cannot control the engines to deliver them to their new home. Garret is asked to take a message to the other end of the world. He has to travel through an ancient subway system and is captured by forest dwellers in a giant park. He finds a new friend, Alyssa, running from an arranged marriage and leads them across the parklands.

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What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?

Somewhere like a summerhouse or a conservatory; somewhere I can open a window and listen. Even better if there’s thunder. Then sit in a nice comfy chair and dive into a really tempestuous fantasy with dramatic scenery and extravagant conflict. Something like ‘Before they Were Hung’ by Joe Abercrombie

 How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

I bounced up and down in my chair until I heard it make an alarming clunk, trying not to explode because there was nobody in the house for me to tell. I ended up phoning my Mum, then went out for a luscious meal with me wife in the evening

 What are you working on at the moment – do you have any other books in the works?

I have one novel wandering the ether looking for a home (might even have found one) and I’m deep into editing a third novel. Both Young Adult urban fantasy/steampunk mashups.

 If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?

That’s actually a difficult one, because unless you are part of the story, the world of most books is probably pretty much ass humdrum as our own. There are usually far more underdogs than there are heroes or privileged classes. Easy to pick if you can also get to decide who you are. So I think it would probably have to be Narnia, but in a good time not a bad one. Or maybe living somewhere in the The Culture, from the brain of Ian. M. Banks

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?

Joe Abercrombie: He’s younger than me, better looking than me, sells more books than me. And he can dance. In fact, skip the movie, can I just BE Joe Abercrombie? Please?

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Want to know more? Check out the links!

www.aphroditesdawn.com

Amazon.com