C.W Tickner, author of "Humanarium"
Stephen H. Provost
C.W Tickner is a UK author and Terry Pratchett fan who's here to talk about his Humanarium trilogy, which is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
THE AUTHOR
Where and with whom do you live? Cambridge, UK. Fiance and the spirits of past pets.
If you could co-write a book with any author, living or dead, whom would you choose? Terry Pratchett. The things he could inject into my story would have me in stitches.
Why do you write? Because no one had written the book I wanted to read. (I did look.)
Where do you write? Sitting on a bed. Comfy, and with the ability to switch positions as aches dictate.
What imaginary land would you choose as your home, and why? Any form of interplanetary vessel. Endless possibilities on where to go, where to eat and who or what to meet and discover. Space gypsy.
What animal, real or imaginary, would you choose as your constant companion? A pocket-sized dragon, preferably orange in colour. But i’m not fussy.
Your superhero alter-ego: T-Man: Able to produce excellent cups of tea that wow strangers and colleagues but burn the skin of any who oppose me.
Historical period you’d like to visit: Feudal Japan.
Favorite board, card or video game: Dungeons & Dragons, in any form.
“This is one of the best books I’ve read in years. I highly recommend this to any Sci-fi fans! The characters are believable and the story is well written. The world is unique and amazing!”
THE BOOK
Title, genre and length? The Humanarium, science fiction, 177,000 words.
When and where does it take place? In the future and on another planet, inhabited by giant aliens.
How did you come up with the title? It’s a play on words; Humans and Terrarium. A place to keep humans.
What inspired you to write it? I was cleaning out my fish tank one day and the thought occurred to me that I was in some way a god to the fish inside. (no god complex, honest). I realised that if I did not feed them or provide them with a landscape and companions, they would suffer as a consequence. I wondered how it would be if the roles were reversed and humans were on the inside. I figured I could swap “Fish” for “Aliens” and hey presto, a bizarre world was born in which humanity lives inside a fish tank.
Is there a sequel in the works? The trilogy is out already and a fourth on its way.
Where, how can you get it? Amazon store and in Kindle Unlimited.
Describe your book in one word that most people don’t normally use. Fantastical.
Who would want to ban it? Anyone with a phobia of giants or the premise that the “god” one might worship is in fact another creature with a greater intellect.
To whom did you dedicate it and why? To my editor. He puts up with a lot.
“I very much enjoyed this book!! I’ve been reading Science Fiction since I was about 10 yrs old (56 now), have read all the Masters and hundreds of other authors. I have to say this book is completely different than anything I have ever read before. It was so nice to be able to read a story that makes you think on it for quite a while afterward.”
THE HERO
Name, age and occupation: Harl Eriksson, early twenties, blacksmith.
Where and with whom does he live? Alone, on the outskirts of town, beside the “Wall” at the edge of the world.
Who would play your protagonist in a movie? Adam Driver (Kylo Ren).
What’s his celebrity crush? Anyone with blonde or red hair. He has never seen such a thing, having grown up in a tank with black-haired people only.
What’s his biggest fear/phobia? Fear of being “Lifted” by the titanic hand that enters the tank and steals people from the world.
Weapon of choice: The people around him.
At the beginning of the book ... our hero is a simple blacksmith, by the end he must free humanity and fight for “Human Rights”
Worst habit? Demanding instant vengeance.
Best feature? A quick learner and being able to accept the world for more than what it “appears.”
“Tickner’s ‘The Huminarium’ is a gripping tale. It not only makes us question what it would be like to be stuck in a Terrarium style world but whether we already are in such a place. The themes of disobedience, curiosity and escape from the gods’ wrath make for a compelling read from start to finish. ... For fans of Sci-fi, ‘The Huminarium’ is thought-provoking, exciting and a damn good read. I loved it!”
