☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ with M.C.V. EGAN: The McKenzie Files by Barry Nelson Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I've always had a good talent for writing. But I regret not writing on a professional level when I was younger. But at the age of 61, I feel that my talent is at it's prime.

Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!

I regularly use public transportation. So that offers me the most interesting experiences. Case in point, a few weeks ago I was standing at the bus stop near a Wal Mart and a guy rolled up with a shopping cart full of groceries. He stood there for a while, then a car came up. He got in the car, left his cart full of groceries behind, and the car drove off. To this day I keep asking myself wah the hell was that all about?

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I'm a big X Box gamer. To me nothing is more relaxing than playing a little gaming with a bottle of beer at hand.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Lucio Fulcis, Zombie. First came out in 1979. I must have watched this movie 1,000 times.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

Dragon.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I'm currently working on a graphic novel version of my first McKenzie Files book. And I'm also working on doing my own animated movie using Blender.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The McKenzie Files?

In my series, McKenzie Files, my main character, Colin McKenzie, is a bit of a quiet loner trying to cope with working with two individuals that he sometimes likes. Sometimes doesn't. He's also the leader and most powerful member of the team. His teammate, Diane Christy, is the aggressive member of the team. Her official military rank is the captain. But she's content with following Colin as the leader of the team. Kelly Lytton is the youngest member of the team. Kelly has a more apprehensive/fearful personality than the other two. He's not as eager to rush into danger as Diane.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

For a while, I was batting around the idea of space-faring superheroes. That's how I came up with the concept of McKenzie Files. I like to think of the series as part X-Men, part Star Trek.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

My favorite part is introducing the villains. I love creating my own supervillains.

Who designed your book covers?

I do my own cover art.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

Sandalwood. That's my favorite scent.

Do you see writing as a career?

My writing is already a career. I also consider writing to be a 24/7 job.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

For some strange reason, I find it difficult to concentrate in a quiet setting. When I'm in my bedroom writing on my computer I always have to television on for the background noise.

Pen or typewriter or computer?

I use the computer. But I do often write things down in a notebook and then transfer the work to my computer later on.

A day in the life of the author?

My typical day of writing. Have breakfast and play a little X-box. I usually start working on a project around 12 noon. Take a break around 4 to make dinner. Then get back at it around 7 or 8. On some occasions I'll keep working until 12 midnight or 1. Then go to bed. But all too often I find myself getting tired around 9 and quit for the day.

The McKenzie Files

by Barry Nelson

Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

The United Protectorate is under attack by the Brelac, a bloodthirsty reptilian alien race bent on destroying humanity. A dark alliance between the Brelac and the Vendetta, a separatist organization, looms over the Protectorate. The Brelac's onslaught brings forth the creation of the genetically engineered humanoid weapons called Reploids. Reploids are identical copies of real humans captured, killed, cloned, embedded with powerful psionic abilities, and programmed to serve the Brelac.

The balance is upset when a weapon powerful enough to bring the Protectorate to its knees is about to be unleashed and the Protectorate's only hope of stopping it are Colin, Diane, and Kelly.

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