Science Fiction Trading Card Spotlight - Cindy Koepp
Our next Science Fiction Trading Card Spotlight features Cindy Koepp, who is displayed on card number 334 from the Science Fiction Collection. Cindy has published many genres of books in her career. Books such as Science Fiction, Fantasy, GameLit novels and a comic book miniseries. Cindy has worked on a few small presses as an editor of speculative fiction and middle grade fiction. Other forms of editing are Mysteries, Memoirs and Biblical expositions. For more information on Cindy, visit her web page here.
How has your involvement in the writing profession been important to you?Writing gets the weird ideas out of my head and into someone else’s. I often deal with the pain and annoyances of the world through my writing, so it becomes rather cathartic. Hopefully it’ll help others in their journey as well.
What does it take to be a professional writer today?
A lot of resources or the ability to do many, many, MANY things … some of which run contrary to the nature of typical writers. Last week I got to be a writer, an editor, an art director, a marketer, a cheerleader, a graphic designer, and a copy writer. There are only 2 of those I feel confident in.
A strong network of friends and supporters will go a long way toward furthering your career, too. That can be a tough thing to find. There are a lot of groups out there that talk a good game and don’t follow through. You’ll also find a lot of zero-sum thinking and other toxicity out there and dodging that can be tricky.
Did you ever think when you were younger you would be on a trading card?
When I was a kid, the only way to be a on trading card was to be a sports genius … particularly baseball, although football, hockey and other sports cards were becoming a thing at the time. Since I don’t “sports” very well, that was never a goal.
When did you first meet Walter Day and where was it at?
Last summer at a gaming convention. He stopped by my table, and we chatted briefly about science fiction, dragons, and other fun stuff.
How early in your life did you know you would be a writer?
I don’t remember, actually, but my mom has a short story I wrote in second grade about a talking dog and his pet cactus. When my recognizable memories kick in, I was already a prolific writer with a number of short stories and novella-length works in a binder.
How has writing today changed from when you were younger? What do you like or dislike about the changes?
I had not learned the gentle art of editing and revising, so all my stories were extremely rough drafts. My early drafts tend to be dialogue heavy and description light with the occasional plot hole.
I’ve since learned how to edit and revise my work, so I can make sure the dialogue is necessary, the descriptions are present, and the plot holes are closed. I find I enjoy editing and revising far more than drafting.
If you did not become a writer, what would you be doing?
Well, I’m not a full-time writer, so I’d still be doing my day-job. My writing time would be full of crafting stuff instead. I crochet, quilt, make costumes, sew dragons, and do other fun stuff of that sort.
What are your favorite type of books and why?
Well, I prefer the genres I write in science fiction, fantasy, and GameLit. They’re inventive, and you get to explore weird new worlds and situations.
What are your favorite hobbies today?
I crochet afghans and amigurumi. I’ve got a couple of those in the works just now. I make quilts, some more involved than the others. I do other crafty stuff including making cosplay costumes. I’m currently working on a faerie and a kenku.
What do you think about electronic books that you can download versus the actual physical hard copy?
The difference is just in the delivery. It’s the same story either way.
What authors do you admire today and who did you look up to as a child?
I don’t remember being a child, so I can’t answer that part.
Authors I admire today are probably folks you haven’t heard of (but should check out if you haven’t). They’re people who are good guys and gals first, and they write fun stories, too. Some of them write humorous works. Others write very thought-provoking works. Some of them just tell a good story.
Travis Perry, Brian K Morris, SL Rowland, Aaron DeMott, and a whole flock of others.
What are your favorite books past and present?
Genesis, The Revelation, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Les Miserables, Hellspark, Crystal Portal, The Original Skyman Battles the Master of Steam, Sentenced to Troll, A New Threat…
Did you play video games growing up and what were some of your favorites?
Oh, most definitely. I got a kick out of the Ultima series (1-7, Underworld 1 and 2), Might and Magic (especially World of Xeen), and So You Want to Be a Hero. Stuff of that sort.
If you can design your own video game, what would it be about and who would be the main character?
Funny you should mention that. Bear Publications, who published Animal Eye, is currently in negotiations with with Clopas, a gaming company, to produce a mobile version of Animal Eye and then later perhaps a PC version of the game that follows the plot of the book. Two playtesters, Jake and Khin May, are checking out a soon-to-be-released game called Animal Eye in which they play Nagheed the Mountain Shepherd and Ahva the Crow. They help out their humans, who are trying to find the source of maniacal killers. Animal Eye currently exists as a novel, and the beginnings of a comic book miniseries.
What are your opinions about today’s generation of science fiction books?
Well, I guess there’s something for everyone out there. Like a lot of things, some I like. Some … I’m probably not the demographic they were shooting for.
Do you believe some science fiction movies are too violent and lead to violence in America today?
Personally, I do think some movies, TV, books, and games go a little too “realistic” with the blood splatter and violence. No question. Is that responsible for people’s behavior? Hardly.
We live in a seriously messed up world. This is nothing new. Violence in entertainment? Also, nothing new. People need to take responsibility for their own actions and need to be held accountable for their own actions. Stop blaming other stuff.
If you could own only one book that was not written by you, what would it be and why?
It’s technically a collection of books, but I’d go for the Bible. It’s got a little of everything: history, allegories, poetry, prophecy, and so on.
If you don’t count religious works, I’d go for Hellspark. I enjoyed the story because it has a bit of mystery, a bit of ecology, and a bit of first contact.
Are you still involved with writing today, and what role do you play?
Oh, yeah. I still write short stories, and I have a couple novels in the works. They’re on standby for the moment, though. Bear Publications, one of my publishers, is converting my most recent novel into a comic book miniseries. I’m writing the scripts and working with the artist, Rowell Cruz, to get everything done. We’re also in negotiations with a gaming company called Clopas to turn the novel into a mobile game and later a desktop/laptop game.
What do you see yourself doing in the next 10 years?
I don’t plan that far ahead. No plan survives first contact with reality, and there’s no telling what’s in store for a decade from now. Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, in 10 years, I’ll be planning to retire soon so I can write and craft full time.
Click here for Cindy's Web Page