An Interview with Anttimatti Pennanen, author of Black Table

Anttimatti lives in Finland and Spain. He is a writer who keeps his readers hooked with humor, cliffhangers, and thrills without unnecessary bloodshed, leaving an enjoyable experience for all. While drinking an excessive amount of coffee, he is writing stories from his experience, imagination and with thorough research. The Black Table series is his first science fiction trilogy, with a second series already on its way.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

As a science fiction fan, I wanted to write something I would want to see next on TV or in movies. My favourite writers are Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling, but I do see my science fiction and fantasy ideas springing more from the TV and movie industry.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have a Finnish army commando training. I have BSc in computer science. I worked for Nokia Mobile phones as a special engineer.

I went to Orlando theme parks 120 times within half a year, as a tourist.

I have skipper and rescue diver certification.

I have traveled to about 45 countries and lived in six.

I speak six languages, but only basics in 3.

I parachuted from a plane just to see if I could feel anything.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I did not worry about the title. I thought it would come as the story progressed, and it did. It’s basically the main technology used in the series, only named by two guys from Earth.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Apart from joy, for the first time, I felt like thoughts really can be made into reality. It was something I had been amazed about when for example walking in Universal Studio’s Potter World, how all that, came out from one writer.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I do have a soundtrack for the book, which you can find here!

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

Perfect readers are those who enters my world, allowing them to remember all the good things about fandom and science fiction. They have experienced the bits and pieces that made them love in the genre in the first place, but come out with new ideas, new worlds, new fans.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The writing process itself. Write as much as you want, when you want.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I have been working on a new science fiction book. The events take place on Earth. But that is on hold right now due attention needed from me to bring the Black Table series to another media. Unfortunately, my NDA does not allow me to share much about it.