What have you had published?My debut novel, Disconnect, was released January 2013. i haven't had anything published before.
What genre(s) of book do you write?
Young Adult Science Fiction.
Young Adult Science Fiction.
I do have plans to cross my preferred genre with Horror, Thriller and Techno-Fantasy.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Whilst attending the Festival of Writing in York (UK) in 2011, I overheard a literary agent mention that there wasn't enough romance in YA Science Fiction. Within minutes the ending to the first book played out in my head and I knew that I had a novel to be written.
How long did it take you to write “Disconnect: The Divided Worlds Trilogy #1”?
The first draft took me three months. It was written in 3rd Person with alternating viewpoints between the make and female protagonist. After some soul-searching, I decided to restrict the novel to the male 3rd Person Limited approach. The redraft took 2 months, and the eventual edits another month. All in all, Disconnect has been a total of 6 months.
What is the working title of your next book(s)?
Disassemble: The Divided Worlds Trilogy #2 - due June 2013
Disrupt: The Divided Worlds Trilogy #3 - due June 2013
Tyler Nitbone and the Snowflake Traitor - due November 2013
The Last Strider - due March 2014
Djinnxed - due June 2014
When and why did you begin writing?
Sitting in a jungle in Borneo, amongst the chattering insects and the sound of something large flapping their wings overhead, I realised that at the age of 29, I was missing something that made my life complete as a child; writing. 5 years on, and I don't feel empty anymore.
Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?
I am known for attending the UK Festival circuit and am recognised by many agents - which is always good thing. I've had good feedback and promising comments from agents, but haven't delivered enough to get their backing (yet). I will still pursue the traditional route, but decided to get my work out there, and that's why I have self-published Disconnect.
What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
Making sense of what's in my head. I can see it, but sometimes getting detail down can be difficult. I now adopt an approach of Think Less-Write More, whereby I just write, write, write, and then sort out the nagging details later.
What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? I work full-time, so any spare time I do have is taken up by writing, blogging, tweeting, etc. I do like to read and experiment with digital art. And now again, when the mood is right, I like to garden.
Who is your favourite author?
Terry Pratchett for the world he has given me, and the wit he isn't afraid of delivering.
What’s your favourite genre to read?
YA Science Fiction and Fantasy
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don't be afraid to ask for advice. We don't know it all, no matter how brilliant we were in English class as children. Join a Writers' Group, gain knowledge from those going through the process, seek out new ways to think about your work. Places like Twitter are amazing for realising that you aren't the only one with writer's block.
And most of all - when others doubt you, criticise the time you have to write, or try to put you down - don't give in.
Find the strength within to make the leap.
Some still doubt me - but when I receive a good review and a comment from a stranger thanking me for my work - it makes me smile. It makes me realise that it was all worth it.
Write.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Since the digital boom of e-books the market has become flooded, and with the ease of creating feigned reviews it can be a minefield to locate a worthy read. I hope readers give me a chance and I am always welcome to view of how I can improve or adapt. Cutting corners to release a novel is the bad way to do things - I never will do that. And if anyone out there is considering self-publishing, I don't mind offering guidance or support to help them make that leap.
Having your name on the front of a good cover is like plucking a dream from your head and living it.
Disconnect: The Divided Worlds Trilogy #1
Dirtying fingernails in sewers is fast approaching worthlessness for Zachary, a 16-year old Underworld scavenger. When footage of an Overworld girl, Rosa, is discovered, his intrigue heightens at why she expresses sadness with a lavish lifestyle. In meeting Rosa, Zachary is scorned by her opinion of the deprived. She pities him and provides a means for them to communicate. With time, friendship and something that he’s never felt grows; love for another human. Knowing Rosa calls him when it suits her isn’t enough; he wants to meet her, but how? Relationships in Underworld are few, let alone the impossibility with those above the ceiling. Underworld will suffer when plans to conquer Jupiter’s moon, Europa move ahead. Worse is Rosa’s father, a disgraced Overworld ambassador, approving the plan. Zachary must defeat the prejudice of the worlds, sneak within opposing forces, lose friends and challenge Rosa’s sadness. In doing so, a twisted secret is uncovered that may devour the reason he lives; Rosa. In space, love has boundaries.
About the Author:
Imran Siddiq may have tried to leave Leicester a few times, but it's become his place to wake up to, freeze when the heating is off, and serve two cats and, most of all, get down to writing.
He sacrifices every second that he can to writing. A veteran of writing festivals, a constant presence on Twitter, and one who is still able to gobble up all forms of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, Imran hopes he can bring a smile to others through his stories
Imran’s preferred genre is YA Sci Fi. He has a tendency to throw a droid into every novel –literally every novel.
Imran Siddiq may have tried to leave Leicester a few times, but it's become his place to wake up to, freeze when the heating is off, and serve two cats and, most of all, get down to writing.
He sacrifices every second that he can to writing. A veteran of writing festivals, a constant presence on Twitter, and one who is still able to gobble up all forms of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, Imran hopes he can bring a smile to others through his stories
Imran’s preferred genre is YA Sci Fi. He has a tendency to throw a droid into every novel –literally every novel.
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