Samson's Quest by Ben Byron

Ben Byron talks about his new book and other issues in the publishing world. -- 3rd December 2007

Tell us about what inspired and motivated you to write The Lion's Call?

I had pledged myself to write a sequel to Samson's Quest. This journey - The Lion's Call - follows Rachel Carter and her life after the big scandal had erupted in Samson's Quest. I sought to build on the first novel and explore her desperate attempts to flee from her former life. What follows is a story which I feel (and hope) is genuinely exciting and moving but not just for the pure thrill of the chase, but more so, for the themes that the story touches upon - individual struggles, medical intrigue and a psychological exploration of a character who's name I won't mention here.

How does the book compare in your mind to Samson's Quest?

They're both pretty pacy but The Lion's Call differs in that it is essentially a book of two halves. Readers will find themselves immersed in a fast first half which then transcends into a more philosophical interaction between two of the book's main characters. Both books are related but in many ways, they are quite different which offers some diversity for the reader.

Which did you prefer to write?

They were both intriguing, exciting and difficult to write but I don't really have a preference. Some readers have found the plots quite complicated but I think both Samson's Quest and The Lion's Call, which are essentially medical and psychological thrillers, the plots needed to have this element of intricacy. But both were certainly difficult to write. My head is still spinning!

What has been the response so far to both books? And what are your thoughts about readership?

Samson's Quest has been well received and The Lion's Call hasn't been read by many yet, so it's difficult to say. There have been some positive reviews for both but I won't hesitate to add that both books are not for everyone. This seems like a crazy thing to say for an author trying to push his own works, but the books will suit those who like medical and psychological thrillers. If you're into romance novels, then it's fair to say that these books are probably not your cup of tea. I think it's best to be frank about such matters because readership is so important and there are so many cases of genre/hype clash where readers are led into a book which really, they are not well suited. So, the readership for both my books may be quite niched in the end I think.

What is your assessment of the publishing world? In the UK at least?

That's a difficult question and I'm not sure how to begin. Well, I think it's fair to say that the publishing arena in this country at least, is as competitive as ever before. I think alot of readers have become a bit flummoxed by the 'book lakes' and the vast volumes and titles which are being put out every year. As an author, I can sympathise with readers and as a reader, I can fully empathise with those who hold this view. I suppose on the other side of the argument, there is now more diversity and choice than ever before which is a great thing for readership choice but the market becomes ever more competitive and difficult for authors. I suppose, there are so many people writing these days (me included); whilst 99.9% of authors are unlikely to ever reach the dizzy heights of say a Forsyth, Grisham or Wilbur Smith, many of these smaller authors could still have a readership following - just on a (far) smaller scale. And therein lies the the diversity and choice. I think most publishers would agree that no one really knows whether a book will fly or fall. Much depends on the mood of the market and the marketability. I think the electronic age has certainly changed the way books can be marketed but I still think publishers find it difficult to really harness this - as yet - untapped potential. Competition for authors will undoubtedly intensify as time progresses and I think this will be a global trend. I hope my books can find a way to compete with the voluminous competition of the 21st century.

And a message for your readers?

I hope you all enjoy both books. They're a little different to your conventional read so I hope I can add to the diversity of the publishing arena.

From The Publisher. 19th October 2007

As the first wave of readers come to conclude Ben Byron's The Lion's Call, it is now time to post the first of a number of extras which will help to discuss some issues from the book. This aims to instigate new discussions and offer extra information for those who enjoyed the story and are now keen to find out more.

The Lion's Call functions as a two-fold novel. Readers are swept away with an exciting, suspense-filled first half, which then metamorphoses into a thought-provoking exploration into a single character's drives, ambitions and controlling influences. Some of the tales and stories which feature in the second half of the novel are not categorised, and are not intended to be "formulaic", with each reader drawing the same "equational" answer. On the contrary, each and every reader is unique and their own viewpoint will determine their own perspective on some of the interactions. As the book draws to its exciting denouement, we appreciate that questions about some of the stories are likely to remain.

The Lion's Call is not a mono-thematic story centering on the resolution of a 'who dunnit' scenario. Rather, it is a story designed to tap into a number of areas: art, medicine, elements of climate change, the relationship between history and the future, individual struggles and choices, ambition, human values and guidance. In our brave new world, these issues are of such importance. Certainly, some of these themes have now become major debating and action points (climate change especially), but there are other factors which haven't drawn as much focus. The Lion's Call aims to highlight some of these themes in the context of the story which sees both Rachel and Todd, the book's leading characters, struggle to make any sense of the desperate situation unfolding before them in the exotic backdrop of The French West Indies. The Lion's Call is a thriller/suspense novel flavoured with some stimulating thoughts and issues.

As part of our extras themes, we will be looking more at Abraham Maslow, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, in particular, the art works mentioned in the book. Later, Ben Byron will talk more about his novel, the context, the settings, characters and his thoughts on readership and the publishing world we now inhabit.

Thanks for reading and see you next time.