Q: What is the Nova Science Fiction Magazine?

It is a science fiction magazine that publishes both secular and religious material.

Q: By "religious," do you mean a particular religion, such as Christian or Judeo-Christian?

The religious material that's been submitted to me has been overwhelmingly evangelical Christian material, and I prefer it that way.

Q: When you first started Nova SF, what were you hoping to accomplish?

I wanted to give Christian writers, who had been shut out by major magazines, a chance to be published. I also wanted to create a magazine that would support itself financially.

Q: Has your vision changed?

No, except that I now realize it will take longer to become financially stable than I had first thought.

Q: Who is your target audience?

Christian and secular science fiction fans. No particular age group.

Q: Do you think it would appeal to both men and women?

I hope so!

Q: Does Nova SF revolve around a particular sub-genre of SF (other than Christian), such as hard science, space-opera, character-driven, adventure, etc.?

Not really. But I have noticed I carry more time travel stories than space travel. I may have subconsciously encouraged this, because I'm a big time travel fan myself. But, I find I have more time travel stories submitted. I didn't plan this, but I'm pleased that it happened, for now. Perhaps in the future I'll be able to publish more space travel stories.

Q: What are some highlights to date of your magazine, things you've been particularly proud of?

I published a story by Brad Linaweaver. I've also been proud of the new writers I've been developing, especially Tom Cron. Tom Cron has invented a universe called the "Infinity Trading Post." He's allowed other writers to write in this universe, and several of these have been published in Nova SF. My most recent issue includes one of Cron's in this universe, titled, "The Door of Lives." I think he's going to be a household name among sci-fi readers one day. Incidentally, Tom is now collaborating on a novel with Linaweaver.

I'm also excited about another new writer, Frank Galloway. I think he's going to be a good one.

Q: Tell us about your latest issue.

Issue #6 is the first issue where all of the stories have religious content. I'd like to summarize some of the stories for you. It starts off with a story from the exciting new author I mentioned named Frank Galloway. In "A General's Decision," Robert E. Lee must decide whether to fight the Battle of Gettysburg his own way, or listen to the advice of time travelers. The story deals with time travel in a new way. Lee's decision will surprise most readers.

"The Door of Lives" is Tom Cron's fourth sale to Nova SF. It is also the third "Infinity Trading Post" story published by this magazine. The story is about a suicidal man who goes to a bar that connects various time lines. He is then ushered into a room that shows him what his life might have been like if he'd made different choices earlier in life.

"Death Bed Confessions," by Frank Andreotti, is about a priest who meets a prison inmate who tells him a terrible secret, one that puts the fate of Earth in jeopardy. This is a space travel story with a twist. Frank has several previous publications in other magazines.

"Gideon" was written by Zachary Nobles, a young writer who has also been published in several other magazines. In this story, Earth's last space admiral uses prophetic dreams and an ancient book of wisdom to plan a battle that will decide that the fate of humanity.

The issue ends with a review of "Chrononauts," a time travel card game that deals with its subject matter in a unique way. The game is well designed and would be of interest to time travel fans.

Q: Some questions about you: What is your particular religious background? Can you share your testimony in brief?

I'm of Japanese ancestry, born in the United States. Most of my family is Buddhist. I grew up disillusioned with that religion, mainly because of the lack of peace at home. I was exposed to Christianity at an early age, when my family moved from downtown LA into the suburbs, where there was no Buddhist temple. My parents let me go to a Baptist church down the street. I was impressed by the people who attended, by their ability to live in peace with each other.

Later, in high school, I met a popular girl who was friendly to me. I wasn't popular, and she was risking her own popularity by her kindness to me. I found out later she was a Christian.

The third influence occurred as a result of my briefly attending a Christian college. Even after I left I attended college events, and always came home convicted because my friends had gone on to do important things with their lives, but my own life was going nowhere.

Fourth, I saw the war movie "Midway," and came away feeling the Americans shouldn't have won. The Japanese were superior. I realized it was a miracle of God that the Americans had prevailed.

These four events, among others, resulted in my conversion experience. It was especially difficult because my family was so opposed to it. I had pretended to be saved at an earlier time, but in 1978 it was the real conversion.

Q: What is your writing background, and what are some of your favorite SF authors to read?

I started off writing as a science and technology reporter. I did most of my reporting for the Asian Week Newspaper in San Franciso. I had experience covering shuttle astronauts, things like that.

My favorite science fiction authors are Harry Turtledove, Poul Anderson, James Hogan, and Keith Laumer. Most influential, though, was the Doctor Who TV show.

Q: How can readers obtain copies of your magazine?

They can get a subscription, single issues and back issues through Nova Science Fiction, 17983 Paseo DelSol, Chino Hills, CA 91709-3947. They can also download an order form from my website, novasf.com.

Q: How can writers and illustrators obtain copies of your guidelines?

They can write to me at the above address.

Q: Are you open to unpublished authors?

Definitely. I love working with new authors and helping them develop their talent. I prefer, though, that writers query me first, instead of submitting unsolicited manuscripts. I think this discourages writers who have no business submitting to any magazine.

Q: I assume you mean writers who dash off a story with little thought, and don't bother to polish it before submitting it?

That's right. It discourages writers who submit poor quality work.

Q: What do you envision as the future of Christian Science Fiction?

It will grow slowly. Many sci-fi Christian fans of the past have abandoned the genre, and will need to be brought back. I expected to find "hidden pockets" of fans. There used to be Christian authors in the genre, such as C.S. Lewis, but no one has stepped up to replace them, and people who are hostile to Christianity have taken over the genre. I think there are younger people just getting interested in the genre, and I am bringing some of them in. Only one third of my readers are traditional sci-fi fans. One third are young, and just getting interested in science fiction, and one third are Christians who got fed up with the genre and are now getting interested again upon seeing Christian material.

Q: What do you envision as your role in the future of Christian Science Fiction?

I'm a pioneer. I see myself as a trail blazer. At times, I feel excited about this, at times it is exhausting. It's a lot of hard work.

In closing, I'd like to note that these two editors - who are acquaintances - do not see each other as rivals. Although they admit to coming from different ideological viewpoints (Fekete the more liberal, Kawato the more conservative) they are very supportive of each other's magazines.

Readers, you now have two new regular sources for stories to satisfy your Christian science fiction cravings. Writers, you now have two new magazines to submit stories to. I encourage all of you to check both out!

Megan James

August 2001