The books shown on the left are by Marius Trevelean. Click on the cover to order.

Teri Takle conducted this interview on May 14, 2024.

Today I am interviewing the talented author Marius Trevelean.

Which character do you most identify with? 

In SiP, I am probably Flynn. The dry, sarcastic one that is quietly helpful without being the hero. 

What book has most influenced you in your life?

My checkbook. 

Which chapter in SiP did you enjoy writing the most?

That’s a tough one. I think ‘Meet the Neighbors’ was fun because of the setting and the introduction of new characters. I also enjoyed ‘Catch of the Day’ because it required plenty of research into the process of life on a fishing trawler.

What inspired you to write SiP?

It started life as a concept. I was struck with the mental image of a giant straw sticking out of the ocean, something with scale that was otherworldly yet familiar. The idea of Earth being an oasis in the universe fascinated me. One of the few planets (on a universal scale) to possess liquid water must be appealing to all intelligent forms of life. 

What has been your biggest challenge in writing and/or publishing SiP?

Time. I work full time; I am a father and husband, and life generally gets in the way of writing. You have to find the time to write any way you can. I wrote a lot of the SiP Saga sitting on the subway commuting to work!

Would you consider writing a sequel about how the alien creatures adjust to life on this planet and what happens to the International Space Station? 

I have done precisely that with the second part of the SiP Saga – ‘Area 52’. The second book is a quasi-sequel, introducing new characters on their own adventure that overlaps with the events of SiP. As for the ISS? It’s fine; it needed a new coat of paint and a panel beater, but it is still up there floating around.

I see that you have a new book, Area 52.    How many other novels have you written?

The SiP Saga is a seven-book series, six novels, and one collection of short stories, which I am releasing as free episodes between each book (check out www.sipsaga.com for more details). Area 52 is complete and is currently in the editing phase. I also previously published a satirical novel for adults in 2011.

Who do you see as your book’s ideal reader?

It is written for middle schoolers and above. I wrote SiP as an ode to the books I read as a child. I loved Roald Dahl and read his entire catalogue. I love Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and the Discworld novels. Those were the big inspirations for Sip—the comical, bizarre science fiction/fantasy books I grew up with. My ideal reader is young me.

What is your most difficult part of writing a novel?   How long did it take to write SiP?

Editing is both my favorite part of the writing process and also the most arduous. I love that the worlds you create can be manipulated. If something isn’t working, you can change it. I have no problem killing my darlings to service the narrative. SiP went through four entirely different first chapters before I was satisfied. The flip side is that combing through the same book ad infinitum can become mind-numbing, leading to days when you wonder why you bother. Anyone can write words, but, like music, it’s all very well knowing the notes; you have to put them in the correct order to play a tune.

SiP took a year to write, but the subsequent editing and the addition of the short stories and sequels elongated the process. At the beginning of any series, you have to create a foundation for the world to exist, and that takes time.

Who are you?  How do you really live?  What is your education, background?  Where do you live?  What are your hobbies?

The quickfire round. I like it. My real name is Richard, and I am originally from the UK. I have now been living in the US for the last decade. I was educated in England at a boarding school before attending university in Scotland. I live in New Jersey. My hobbies when I’m not writing are reading and watching movies, and I am also a big football fan (what Americans call ‘soccer’ but is, in fact, football).

Teri Takle: Thanks for graciously agreeing to do this interview with me!