An Interview with Graham Daydy
Graham Daydy is a UK-based writer and creative with a lifelong love of science fiction and storytelling. By day, he leads copywriting for some of the biggest names in gaming and entertainment, and by night, he builds universes of his own.
His debut series, Beyond, blends cinematic sci-fi with deeply human stories – following a cast of misfits, survivors, and seekers as they navigate signals from the stars, wars long forgotten, and the thin line between loyalty and betrayal.
Graham’s writing is driven by character, atmosphere, and the big questions: what it means to belong, what it costs to resist, and how far we’re willing to go for each other. His worlds are dark and moody, yet always lit by sparks of humour, defiance, and hope.
When he’s not writing, Graham can usually be found with a strong coffee in hand, following his beloved Spurs (or EPL side Tottenham Hotspur FC to anyone outside the UK!), or diving headfirst into history, music, and film for inspiration.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I guess I would credit my wife with that honour. It was during the COVID winter of 2021. I had been sitting on the first chapter for several years, not really knowing what to do or where to take it. I started several other books in that time, each meeting a similar fate. I always had the idea of a finale, but between chapter one of book one and said finale was a great chasm – an idea soup. I knew I could work it out if I just devoted time and effort to it – but I convinced myself I didn’t have either. Before COVID, that might have been true – but during it, well…My wife snapped it into focus for me. I would make the most of a terrible situation and come through it a better person, with an actual achievement.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Well, when I eventually took up the reins of book one again, it wasn’t actually a ‘book one’ – it was just a book I was writing. And then as I got into my stride, it became evident that my story was far too large and cinematic for just one volume. So one became two, then three, now four – with more in the works. So I needed a title that reflected that it was a story within a series. I originally had the name Dark Space, but somewhere in the back of my mind, a little legal bell was ringing. I was sure something else existed out there with the same or a similar title. I wanted to be a little different, so although Beyond feels somewhat less of an ‘ownable’ name, it also truly reflected my story. Because for my characters, everything is ‘beyond’ their normal experience. Everyone goes ‘beyond’ to fight for each other. And it was also reflective of me; I went ‘beyond’ what I thought I was capable of. It’s ironically both a deeply personal and utterly common title choice!
Describe your dream book cover.
I always look for a cover that could tell a story. I know there are probably tonnes of marketing algorithms and ‘pros’ out there who would tell you what the ‘ideal’ cover should be – but a dream one? It should suck you in. That’s what I’ve tried to do for The Signal and all my books in the Beyond series (coming soon!).
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
My writing was heavily influenced by the synthwave vibes of artists like Waveshaper, Turbo Knight, Thomas Barrandon – even iconic movie soundtracks like Vangelis’ Blade Runner masterpiece. Moody, atmospheric, upbeat, toe-tappers. Sounds that both transcend and mystify. It really helped set the tone in my head, and they’re incredibly easy to listen to. Just food for the mind.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I always prefer an easy read when I’m writing – you need to give your brain some reward for whirring away, trying to overcome plot holes and pushing word counts. So, I often return to the Red Dwarf novels – fun, digestible, and not without their own mind-bending sci-fi tropes and plots. I grew up watching the show; it’s probably one of the reasons I love the genre so much.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Unsurprisingly, I’m a copywriter by trade – writing is just in the blood. However, I’m no wallflower – I’ve also been a student union DJ. Chart hits didn’t quite feed the mind like a good synth playlist, put it that way. Although I did try once to put out my own mix in between popular tracks – not sure if anyone noticed!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Easy – my dad. He’s been a writer for as long as I can remember. His story is also a source of great inspiration. He was a London black cab driver for nearly twenty years, doing it until I was about ten. But he always wanted to write. He started by sending jokes to the BBC in the late nineties. Then jokes became sketches, sketches became shows, and finally he ended up writing for television, both mainstream and children’s. He’s now a successful author in his own field – cosy mysteries.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Anywhere where there’s a desk and some light background noise. Weirdly, I’m not a ‘silence’ kind of guy. Even the light monotony of distant chatter is quite a nice thing. It just becomes white noise as you get into the zone and becomes something of a foil for the brain – I don’t really understand it, so I can’t explain it haha. But a desk, a monitor, a cuppa, and a faint sound? Just sign me up.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Just start. You don’t produce anything if you don’t start. Even if you think you can’t, just start. Honestly, you find you can write a paragraph, then a page, then five pages, then twenty-five. Before you know it, you’ve written nearly 400,000 words across four books. Just start.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
The characters. I enjoy the story, but my love of writing comes from putting characters in situations and seeing how they come out of it, what it does to them, to their relationships. It’s the human angle that fascinates me. And I find it very true of reality, too. In a world we can’t control, it’s how we as people face our challenges and how we come through them. I hope my readers see something of themselves in each of them.
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