Saquib Ahsan | Voyagers

We are honoured to work with as many authors as we do at Pegasus Publishers – each with their own stories to tell. Their worlds are singular, their characters are relatable, and their creativity truly knows no bounds.

This is Author Life, a feature on the Pegasus Blog, that opens the door to each of our author’s creative process and previous literary experience, offering you – the reader – an opportunity to learn a little about the mind behind the novel.

Meet Saquib Ahsan, author of political war fantasy, Voyagers.

Could you tell us three interesting facts about yourself?

• I recently completed my graduate studies in urban planning
• I am a volunteer in various locations throughout my city and in my community (food banks, churches, community groups, agencies)
• I am actually a hip-hop dancer

In your own life, what influences and inspires you to write?

My passion for social, economic, and environmental justice inspires me to write. There are a lot of injustices in the world which I hope I can alleviate with my writing, storytelling, (and hopefully) future success. Writing for the sake of writing also inspires me as I believe it's enough to just want to write as there will always be someone who's willing to listen to what you have to say. Having access to writing as a medium for artistic expression and emotional outlet (whether it's writing poetry, short stories, or a novel) I believe is crucial for one's well-being as it can be quite therapeutic, especially when you find yourself overcoming writer's block and developing your craft.

Which book or author has had the biggest impact on you, and why?

George RR Martin has had a tremendous influence on me in the recent decade as I believe his storytelling is impeccable (but not without flaws!). Beyond that, I like to keep my influences a mystery as I enjoy subverting expectations and power-relations through storytelling.

Can you tell me about the book?

Sure! It's a science fiction fantasy book which attempts to almost merge the two subgenres of fiction. The story takes place in a postwar society that has been struggling to maintain itself in the loom of various invading forces and internal strife. Historically, there has also been a form of alien life which has threatened the survival of the entire human race.  This has forced various groups from various continents to abandon their homes and seek out a new habitat. In their search they discover a continent thought to have only been found in legend, and now is now considered to be the last habitable landmass on the planet. As a result of this forced migration, atop a single continent, tension has inevitably grown between various competing societies hoping to claim and reclaim the space for themselves.

What were your first experiences with writing?

I first started writing when I was in high school and was trying to stay out of trouble and avoid some of the peer pressure in my community. At the time I was writing poetry and short stories, but it wasn’t particularly well done in my opinion, even by my standards back then (haha). It wasn’t until many years later that I managed to begin developing a craft, and many years after that where I felt was good enough to turn into a novel. Writing essays (nonfiction) I believe also supported my development, but there is a strong direct relationship between my advancement as a writer and my level of humility regarding my writing talents.

In your opinion, what are the key ingredients for a good story or novel?

I don’t claim to be an expert on this subject (haha) but I think subtle romance, along with humour is important. I also have a strong opinion in that I believe third person view, particularly third person limited is the best way to tell a story.

How long should an author spend on their craft each day?

No more than a few (3 hours) a day.

What was the most challenging part of writing this book, and what did you learn from writing it?

The most challenging part about this book was actually completing it.  About halfway through the story I had gotten severely injured through overworking myself and completing the rest of the story was very difficult because I also did not want to cut any corners.  It’s been a long journey since then, however, I am quite happy with the results.  I would also like to thank my publisher for the beautiful cover art.  I think it looks stunning!

What common pitfalls should aspiring writers avoid?

Overworking yourself!  The world can wait, please rest.

What writing advice would you offer to your younger self?

Same advice as above and also don’t rush yourself.  It takes years, sometimes decades to develop a craft.

Voyagers is available now in paperback.