The following is an interview with author Gatsby Cristo regarding the upcoming release of the sci-fi novel, Crimson Seventeen. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Cristo about his creative process in bringing story and characters to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may take away from the story’s themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Crimson Seventeen! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the story’s premise?
Gatsby Cristo: Crimson Seventeen takes place aboard the Astraeus which is a space ship the size of a small city. The megacorporation Archimedes founded the city nation with heir Byron Dunmire de facto leader. Turmoil bubbles underneath its glamorous surface as corporations, bureaucrats, militarized agents, and revolutionaries fight for the soul of the new nation. Crimson Seventeen follows an artist turned hustler, Danish NATO veteran turned pacifist, college student rebel, former retired detective, and other Astraeuns during the year that will define everything.
There are also several references to Bandai Namco if that sweetens the deal.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing this story and its characters to life on the page?
GC: The first draft is by the seat of my pants. To me it’s not that much different from dreaming, the act of subconsciously taking things from my own life and other influences and throwing them into the blender. Some of my favorite characters and subplots wouldn’t have happened if I planned everything out beforehand. Once I discover all I can and have the story finished, I’ll whip out the flashcards and create an actual outline in order give the story greater cohesion with the subsequent drafts.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that this story may connect with and impact readers?
GC: Just the fact that somebody might read it is profound enough. If they like it, that’s a blessing and if it has some kind of impact on them, that’s a greater blessing. Looking back at the stories that impacted me whether it’s books, movies, video games, or comic books there’s one thing in common. They gave me an experience that’s just as visceral as some of my real-life memories. A hacker’s night in The Sprawl, a trip to 1955 in the DeLorean, running through Chemical Plant Zone, or prowling the streets of Gotham are forever imprinted on my memories. Maybe a year spent aboard the Astraeus will be a cherished memory for somebody reading Crimson Seventeen.
I suppose my approach is no different than most when it comes to connecting with an audience. I do the best I can to write a good story, pour my heart and soul into it, and hope that somebody out there, even if they have a completely different life than me, can relate or at least empathize with Crimson Seventeen.
BD: If given the opportunity, do you foresee revisiting the story or characters for additional story arcs?
GC: I don’t want to spoil it but while there is a proper conclusion, the door’s wide open to return to the Astraeus when the time is right. It won’t be a repeat of the same story and Palpatine will not somehow return. A sequel would be different in themes and arcs, but I think it would be something that a possible fan of the first one would enjoy. I already have some glimpses of scenes and ideas in my head, but I realize that the story itself will probably be very different in the same way Crimson Seventeen ended up being very different than what I thought it was going to be.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
GC: At the moment it’s just Crimson Seventeen. In my past life there were plenty of short stories and scripts I wrote in hopes of getting something off the ground. I even have some anecdotes about working with producer Ike Jones and winning the New York Movie Awards. Talking about this makes me wonder if I should dust them off, give them a coat of polish, and put them on a blog or mailing list.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Crimson Seventeen and your other work?
GC: The best way to learn about Crimson Seventeen is to grab a copy. If you’re on the fence about it, you can always shoot me an email at gatsbycristo (at) gmail (dot) com, and I’ll send the first act. You can also follow me on Instagram and Bluesky (gatsbycristo.bsky.social) if you want to be kept in the loop.
