We chat with author Alex White about their new novel August Kitko and the Mechas from Space, which follows an army of giant robot AIs threatening to devastate Earth and a virtuoso pianist becoming humanity’s last hope.
Hi, Alex! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m an American science fiction author living in Georgia, and I have too many hobbies and too many careers. I love to write about food, music and starship battles, but my interests range pretty widely. I have a habit of jamming them into my manuscripts.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I was a little kid, I obsessed over Shel Silverstein’s books A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends. My dad also had a book of poems he’d written, and my grandmother regularly wrote articles for Christian bulletins and magazines. I started writing these Shel Silverstein knockoffs on my family’s 8086 computer in an early version of WordPerfect.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book I remember reading is either Half Magic or A Cricket in Times Square. I think that my steady diet of mid-century American lit in high school made me think, “I could do this. These people aren’t such hot stuff.” The book I can’t stop thinking about is probably The Kite Runner. The change in the landscape from childhood to adulthood really struck me, because it made geopolitical issues personal and intimate.
Your new novel, August Kitko and the Mechas from Space, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Music, mayhem, love and mechas
What can readers expect?
See above answer.
But also, I love using pop culture as a poetic lens to interrogate bigger issues. You can expect heavy feelings, lots of jokes, and a lot of heart.
Where did the inspiration for August Kitko and the Mechas from Space come from?
My publisher wanted another “robot friend” story after my Salvagers books, but those automata were all pet-level intelligence. They were just happy to be there. The publisher’s request clearly called for an intelligent friendship, and I was worried about the power dynamic of treating a sentient friend like a servant. My agent said, “Giant robots don’t have to listen to anyone,” and I was off to the races.
At the same time, the world started to collapse, and I felt powerless. I take actions to make things better, but that’s just soldiering on, putting drops in the ocean. I had to find a way to define my own meaning within the boundaries of my life. I started writing that into the characters.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
The scale of power is daunting here. Basically every one of these mechas, the Vanguards, are walking Death Stars. Tons of planets and stations have been wiped out. The antagonist is in possession of all of our secrets and unlimited weapons.
Coming up with a scenario where you care about these two tiny humans in that galactic fracas was tough. How would they not die instantly? Do they even matter?
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Ardent Violet, because I made them free in many ways I am not. It was tremendously empowering to write a character whom I actively wished to be. People have attacked authors for doing that in the past, especially women. If you’re queer, write that trans power fantasy. Just fucking go for it. It’s magical.
What helps to motivate you when it comes to writing?
A day job is the process of leasing your dreams to someone who will crush them up before snorting them for a brief high. I have to do my day job to survive, but writing is the only honest work I’ve ever had.
What do you love about the sci-fi genre?
I can break the rules to create a great story, as long as I’m consistent about it. The shape of these breaks creates a unique setting, and will often carry a message of its own.
What’s next for you?
Got to write the next two books! I can’t imagine just leaving this series with one.
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
Yes! I just started The Book Eaters, which has that sort of modern dark fairy tale feel, and Under Fortunate Stars, a great time-travel space opera.
