We recently had the privilege of interviewing science-fantasy writer
Robert C. Auty, whose new book Trance Warriors – The Siege of Scarn has
recently been released.
We liked Robert from the first moment we spoke. He’s quiet, unassuming
and, to be honest, not the sort of person you’d imagine penning a rip-
words, not ours.
The futuristic anti-hero of Trance Warriors is Connor – an outlaw who
finds himself drawn into a cosmic battle between the forces
of good and evil. The psychically-gifted Connor is forced into the role of
Master of Ceremonies as both sides head for the final conflict on the mystical
Middle Isle.
The twist to the tale is that a far, far darker power lurks in the background – an evil that
could engulf the entire planet. As Connor squares up to the hideous Blood Cult he
realises that his ultimate test is just about to begin.
Auty was raised in Canada before moving to Lancaster where he now resides. He has
a love of the Great Outdoors and comes across strongly as a passionate
environmentalist. You can feel this strongly in his novel where you just know that the
author yearns for a past age in which the word wilderness still meant something.
“Trance Warriors came about when I was writing another novel. I penned a two-page premise
and eventually Trance Warriors grew out of that.”
Trance Warriors – The Siege of Scarn is right out of the Conan the Barbarian mould in
terms of its mystical earthiness, but has something of Lord of the Rings, Dune, 2001
A Space Odyssey and even Star Wars about it too.
But readers shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that Auty has simply pinched
previously-published ideas and re-hashed them. Nothing of the sort. Trance Warriors
carries something of the flavour of Dune, Star Wars, etc, but nothing of the substance.
It is fresh, unique and stands firmly in its own merit.
We probed Auty further about his personal life, and he revealed amongst other things
his passion for the healing art of Reiki which he is currently studying.
“Reiki impresses me. It really works”, he told us, “Its both mystical and practical.”
It’s not hard to see why Robert would be enthusiastic about an alternative therapy like
Reiki. Whether its food, the environment or literature Auty has a passion for that which
is natural. Big, grimy cities are not his abode of choice. Auty is a streams and
mountains guy and Reiki is a natural, gentle, healing art.
Back to the book. As Connor fights battles on the personal front and yet still shoulders
his responsibilities as a great leader, his ally is the mysterious Blade of Scarn, a nice
touch which gives Trance Warriors a lovely Arthurian feel.
If you’re a sci-fi or sci-fantasy buff you’re gonna love this one...
recently been released.
We liked Robert from the first moment we spoke. He’s quiet, unassuming
and, to be honest, not the sort of person you’d imagine penning a rip-
words, not ours.
The futuristic anti-
of good and evil. The psychically-
Middle Isle.
The twist to the tale is that a far, far darker power lurks in the background – an evil that
could engulf the entire planet. As Connor squares up to the hideous Blood Cult he
realises that his ultimate test is just about to begin.
Auty was raised in Canada before moving to Lancaster where he now resides. He has
a love of the Great Outdoors and comes across strongly as a passionate
environmentalist. You can feel this strongly in his novel where you just know that the
author yearns for a past age in which the word wilderness still meant something.
“Trance Warriors came about when I was writing another novel. I penned a two-
Trance Warriors – The Siege of Scarn is right out of the Conan the Barbarian mould in
terms of its mystical earthiness, but has something of Lord of the Rings, Dune, 2001
A Space Odyssey and even Star Wars about it too.
But readers shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that Auty has simply pinched
previously-
carries something of the flavour of Dune, Star Wars, etc, but nothing of the substance.
It is fresh, unique and stands firmly in its own merit.
We probed Auty further about his personal life, and he revealed amongst other things
his passion for the healing art of Reiki which he is currently studying.
“Reiki impresses me. It really works”, he told us, “Its both mystical and practical.”
It’s not hard to see why Robert would be enthusiastic about an alternative therapy like
Reiki. Whether its food, the environment or literature Auty has a passion for that which
is natural. Big, grimy cities are not his abode of choice. Auty is a streams and
mountains guy and Reiki is a natural, gentle, healing art.
Back to the book. As Connor fights battles on the personal front and yet still shoulders
his responsibilities as a great leader, his ally is the mysterious Blade of Scarn, a nice
touch which gives Trance Warriors a lovely Arthurian feel.
If you’re a sci-
