Erick Drake has written sketches for BBC radio comedy and in 2004 was commissioned by BBC South to write a Doctor Who TV story ('The Paradox Device' - production was cancelled due to some upstart genius called Russell T. Davies rebooting the series). A career in IT meant that Erick was well placed to take advantage of the advances in technology that allow independent creatives to produce and publish their work. I love the freedom that gives. My creative choices are my own. I can make what excites me and if the audience likes it too, well then that makes the slog worth it. Being an independent author is a bit like being a pirate or a Viking. Except without the violence and pillage. And the beards. And the ships. Actually, it's nothing like being a pirate or a Viking.Whilst a life-long lover of science fiction (Dr Who, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Peter F. Hamilton, and James S. A. Corey are particular favourites), Erick's introduction to fantasy came about when he stumbled upon 'Lord Foul's Bane' by Stephen R. Donaldson. I was hooked, says Erick, the depth of Donaldson's writing, the world he described, the psychological dilemma of his protagonist - it made my head spin.Despite his love of fantasy and science fiction, Erick's natural inclination is to write comedy; It was the first thing I wrote that I felt entirely comfortable with and which seemed to work for the audience, both on and off stage. Indeed, his comedy drama stage play 'Robin Hood - The Spirit of Sherwood', was very well received as it toured east England. But it is the draw of the oblique and the odd that informs most of Erick's writing within the realms of absurdist fiction, fantasy, science fiction and magical realism.Currently living in Essex with his wife and cat, Erick is surrounded by the rich landscapes of the Essex countryside. And hairballs.Erick's author website is https: //erickdrake.com
