Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: We’ve got Thomas Wrightson here, and he’s got a military space opera to blow your socks off. Thomas, can you introduce us to your books? 

Thomas: My debut work is The Cluster Cycle, a science fiction space opera published by Roan & Weatherford. It’s set in the distant future, reimagining old stories with new problems. The current title is Lost Station Circe.

Lost Station Circe follows the junk cargo ship Benbow and its seven person crew, each with ambitions and problems. One day, chance grants them a datacube holding the secret to a fortune. A covert expedition is formed to find an ancient space habitat near intergalactic space. Waiting beyond known space are treachery, revelations, and a horrific secret that threatens to destroy them all.

Sabitha: Spooky! What inspired you to write this book?

Thomas: Since my last book. Starborn Vendetta, drew from Dumas’s Monte Cristo, I decided to use two of my other favourite old works, Robert Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Homer’s Odyssey. It’s not one-to-one, but there’s definitely references. Both share a theme of toil, growth, and bonds.

Sabitha: How much research did you need to do for your book?

Thomas: I not only had to read through the books I was inspired by, but look up some facts behind the science featured. The theory of warp drive, the concept of engrams, mutation—the usual science fiction fare.

Sabitha: Do you have a playlist for your book? Can you tell us why you picked a couple of the songs?

Thomas: Sonus Lab’s album Planetary Suite and some of Gaming Ambience’s extended tracks helped set a good writing tone. And for certain later parts of Lost Station Circe, Jerry Goldsmith’s original non-theatrical Alien soundtrack was essential listening, particularly tracks 4 to 10.

Sabitha: What book do you tell all your friends to read?

Thomas: Ursula le Guin’s Earthsea series—with Juliet E. McKenna’s Green Man’s Quarry,

Jonathan Stroud’s Bartimaeus trilogy and Arthur Clarke’s A Fall of Moondust as

close seconds.

Sabitha: Do you have any suggestions to help people in our community become better writers?

Thomas: It’s easy to say “write what you know.” But I’d say “write what speaks to you.” I can’t do Lovecraftian, non-speculative or straight male/white leads to save my life. I may not be straight, but I am male and white.

Sabitha: What’s your next writing project?

Thomas: One is editing the next book in the Cluster Cycle, which is a tribute to Golden Age detective stories. My two current WIPs are a new science fiction concept, and a fantasy set between Heian and Reiwa-era Japan.

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Thomas: You can order my book here. Night Beats denizens can visit my website and blog where I post reviews, opinions and short stories. I also have a podcast, Author Talks, on Spotify and YouTube which includes different opinions and short story readings. I can be found on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and LinkedIn.