We’re celebrating the launch of CROOKED V.3 by spotlighting the authors who have contributed stories!
MJ Blehart has been writing fantasy and sci-fi/space opera all his life, the first when he was nine years old. Star Wars and Star Trek were some of the biggest influences in his youth.
He is a history aficionado. MJ has been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA—a medieval re-enactment society) for over thirty years. As part of the SCA he studies and teaches 16th century rapier combat (fencing) and court heraldry, enjoys archery, and spending time with friends. When not writing sci-fi and fantasy, MJ blogs regularly, exploring mindfulness and creating an amazing life. He strives to live a kickass life and consciously create his reality (and sharing that process to help others do the same). MJ lives in New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia with his wife and their two feline overlords.
Facebook: @blehartmj
LinkedIn: Murray MJ Blehart
Website: mjblehart.com
Tell us a bit about your story “Proof of Life”
With the success of the first Alcubierre-Natario Warp Drive in 2074, the people of Earth colonized and/or terraformed exoplanets across the galaxy. In 2539, two of the governments among the colonies went to war. Rather than enlist or conscript soldiers, both sides created clones. They would be the soldiers. The war ended after 20 years, when a third government intervened, and a new government, merging all 3, was formed.
Nearly 3 years ago, clones began to die in an unexpected, horrid way. Because of their underclass status, nobody cared to investigate. An unexpected clone witness changed that, and a whole conspiracy was uncovered and stopped.
One of the conspirators—a turncoat—managed to escape justice. This is his story, which takes place several months after the events in the Forgotten Fodder quartet.
What was the inspiration behind this story?
For this story, it was my love if sharing the villain’s perspective. The overall idea—clones, post-war, trying to work out how to live—was inspired by what I originally though the Clone Wars in Star Wars would look like.
If you could travel to any science fictional world, where would you go and what would you do?
Anywhere? Santraginous V, to lie on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches. Or more realistically, a temperate world in the Star Wars galaxy to study to be come a Jedi.
What are some of your favorite sci-fi crime books or stories?
I swear I am not pandering to the editor, but I loved the Bulari Saga! What a great story, fascinating characters, and rich setting! I think this was my introduction to SF crime stories, for the most part.
What authors have inspired your writing?
While their personal lives and/or beliefs are questionable, Neil Gaiman and Orson Scott Card. Anne McCaffery. Paulo Coelho. More recently, Matt Haig.
What are you working on next?
I am completing the publishing of my Savagespace sci-fi trilogy. Editing a standalone sci-fi comedy for Spring 2025. Writing 4 new books for Forgotten Fodder a year after the first quartet.
CROOKED V.3
