S.C. Vincent

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

S.C. Vincent is, first and foremost, a reader of excellent literary works and endeavors to produce some great pieces himself in the form of novels and a long-running blog. His works include the upcoming The Sakura Element and Ys The Fallen. In addition to his love of the written word, he enjoys Anime and is an all-around stellar guy. He resides in North Carolina with his dogs and has a side gig in accounting, so it was lucky we could reach him this time of year (the US's pre-tax crunch).

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Today’s guest is author S.C. Vincent. Mr. Vincent, could you tell our fans what your upcoming book is about?

The Sakura Element is about Oka Latellay, a genetically modified human, as she starts her first day at Alia Academia. She finds herself at odds with Allen Debois, the son of the school's proprietor. Oka faces the complexities of life in the gentry in a series of fencing bouts, and Allen confronts his family’s secrets while uncovering the hidden evils of the Purveyors of Tradition. With an oppressive society bearing down on them, only love can set them free.

I took some inspiration from a show called Revolutionary Girl Utena and the novel Pride and Prejudice.

Sounds great. What inspired you to write The Sakura Element?

I really wanted to challenge myself and write something for a different audience and in a new genre. I wrote in a completely different style. I enjoy writing from different perspectives, so having to put myself in other people’s shoes is one of the highlights of writing and that was the genesis to this book's theme, generally.

Have you always wanted to be an author, or is this a recent development?

I’ve been writing lyrics and poetry since I was a kid and then I dove into a sort of prose throughout my teen years but didn’t take it seriously until my late twenties. I really needed an outlet for artistic expression and writing novels stuck with me unlike other forms I tried.

Has Sci-Fi always been an important aspect of your life?

Yes, I remember as a child watching Star Trek TNG with my dad.

I always ask an off-the-wall question, so here goes. If you suddenly appeared on top of a giant mushroom on a foreign planet, who would you want by your side?

I guess Michael Jackson because I have some questions that need answers.

Your book covers are awesome. Did you create or commission it? What was the process like?

Thanks a lot. I found a great artist on Twitter/X named Melrose Dowdy (@MelroseDowdy), and I commissioned them. It was a really collaborative process. I gave them reference material, my ideas in depth, etc. And they delivered some of the best art in the scene I’ve personally seen in a while.

Are you already working on your next novel? If so, do you mind teasing us with a detail or two?

Well, I’m always sitting on a book or two because it takes so long for me to publish. I’m working on a sci-fi series tentatively titled “Midas” and another horror-western series. Midas is kind of like sword and sorcery meets Japanese city-pop. You might see it next year.

Do you stick to a routine when writing, or do you gain inspiration by changing it?

Some things change depending on the book and mood, but at some point, I always end up staring at my ceiling, searching for ideas.

Thanks. You gave us a lot to think about. Why don’t we finish off with a few words about your upcoming book launch?

Thanks for having me! I hope my book, The Sakura Element, sounds more interesting than me. It’s coming out March 16th! You can pre-order it now on Kindle. It will also be available in paperback and hardcover. Here is the blurb in case you want to know more:

Description: When tradition means damnation, and the future is the past…

Alia Academia - a school for the elite. Genetically modified Oka Latellay faces discrimination orchestrated by fellow student Allen Debois. Allen enforces a caste system by the Purveyors of Tradition, keeping modified people in the bottom rung of society. But Oka’s gumption inspires him to start a fencing tourney where everything is at stake. If she loses, her life in high society is over. But if she wins, so ends the bullying of all mods in the school.

Oka struggles with her fencing bouts and growing feelings for Allen as he reveals there is more to him than the cold cruelty he portrays. Simultaneously, Allen is torn between adoration for Oka and the Purveyors of Tradition influence. Choosing the former could risk his family’s wealth and good name.

Little do the two know how much their struggles intertwine when Allen’s friend begins to vie for Oka’s affections, and Allen finds himself blackmailed about his family’s past.

In a post-World War world where society functions on sleight of hand and discrimination, Oka and Allen must find the one thing that will save them. Love.

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