BooksChatter: ℚ What if?

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with returning author, reviewer, talk show host (and much more) Fran Lewis to talk about her latest release, What if? (8 July 2020, Fideli Publishing, Incorporated, 46 pages), a collection of dark sci-fi and time travel stories.

"As the Seattle fog acts like a lid and holds the smoke trapped over our region, Fran Lewis’s dystopian short stories read more like current reality than fiction. Her stories are frightening, powerful, eerie, artful, and—yes—cunning. She tricks us into believing that we’re reading about someone else’s life, but in the end, you’ll know that she described yours." - Irma Fritz, author

"In each brilliantly-written short story, the subject matter prods and awakens one's own sense of moral compass. What If delivers a futuristic approach while incorporating contemporary issues." - Toby Williams, author

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Fran Lewis; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What compelled you to write What if??

"The pandemic and the changes in the world compelled me to write this book and have people start to understand the changes in the world we are in now."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"This book was created and written using my own imagination and just hoping to get people thinking about how the world would look if they entered one of the worlds in my collection."

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating this book?

"What surprised me the most is the fact that I thought up the plots for these stories and did something out of the box."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for What if? - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"The cover of the book was created as one of the choices given to me by my publisher. I described what I wanted and how the cover had to reflect someone walking into a world that is unknown and unprotected and possibly dangerous."

Why should we read What if? and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"This book is unique unto itself and I created it hoping it was more like the twilight zone. The second one when I complete it will be titled: WHAT’s NEXT: Faces behind the masks alive or dead incorporating my Faces Behind the Stones series."

Can you tell us something quirky about What if?, its story and characters?

"The characters are unique to the stories and yet could be anyone even you."

Who would you recommend What if? to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This book was read by my ten year old nephew, my 23 year old nephew and young adults and adults that really found it thought provoking and different and loved the book. They are looking forward to the next one."

If you could / wished to turn What if? into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I think I would let the director and those more suitable to decide."

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer?

"The greatest challenge is deciding on the plot and how to create a book told by a narrator. I never write using dialogue."

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

"One reviewer last time was really critical and disliked by writing style.

The best compliment is when a young person values what you have done and wants to read more of your work."

What is in store next?

"My YA book Sisters came out in memory of my sister Marcia Joyce on August 13th which was her birthday. They are true stories growing up in the Bronx with my sister. I only wish more people would read it and embrace what I wrote.

I plan to continue with my broadcasts, reviews and maybe write another sci fi book."

We look forward to that; thank you for sharing. We hope you are having a great tour!

dark stories that will make you wonder, think, and hopefully appreciate life if it ever gets back to normal again.