I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Sam Libraty, a science fiction writer. At the age of 15, he met Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, and their conversation left an impression on him. This inspired him to start writing science fiction in his spare time and eventually led to his debut novel ‘The Time Agents: Search for the Leon Key’ being published in 2022. We spoke about his journey from discovering Star Trek to becoming a published author and what drives him as an artist. Read on to find out what he has to say!
The Time Agents: Search for the Leon Key
Volume One of the Time Agents Series
From author Sam Libraty, comes a new science fiction contemporary series, The Time Agents. Book one of this series follows time agent Jon Howe, as he travels from the 25th century to 1939 Morocco to stop an invasion from a parallel universe.
Jon faces many challenges when he teams up with a beautiful and powerful woman from the parallel world; Shoshanna. Together, they must get the Leon Key away from the Nazis, and use it to cross a rift between worlds. But not all is as it seems. Will Jon be able to cross to the other world, defeat a maniacal dictator and get the girl?
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book? What an excellent question! Through the vivid descriptions and immersive storytelling, readers will feel like they’re right there alongside Jon and Shoshanna, experiencing the high-stakes adventure and intrigue firsthand.
This is a story that will leave readers breathless and on the edge of their seats until the very end, wondering what twists and turns await them next. My goal was to get the reader engaged in the story.
So, prepare to be captivated and enthralled by the dramatic tale of Jon Howe, a protagonist from the 25th century, and his tumultuous relationship with the mysterious Shoshanna. She inexplicably appeared in 1939 Casablanca, Morocco, and Jon can’t help but wonder where she’s from and her true motives.
The tension builds as Jon must confront an impending invasion from a parallel universe, and the only person he can trust to help him is Shoshanna. Will she prove to be a valuable ally, or is she secretly working against him? As the plot thickens, the reader is drawn into a thrilling alternate universe and transported back in time, which hopefully will be a benefit to the reader. There’s nothing like the feeling that you’ve actually experienced the story yourself as you emerge from the read.
If you had to compare this book to any other book out there, which book would it be? Let me regale you with my thoughts! (laughs)
The great science fiction genre holds sway over my writing. And as such, I feel this book is one that can be deemed kin to the likes of “The Sirens of Titan,” a masterpiece crafted by the renowned Kurt Vonnegut. Also in this and the following books, elements like time travel and parallel worlds serve to advance the story.
But let not your excitement be quenched by the mere mention of one great work. Nay, my work is highly influenced by Vonnegut and other literary giants, such as the peerless Isaac Asimov and his timeless classic, “The End of Eternity.”
Tremble with anticipation as you delve into the electrifying pages of “Lightning,” a spellbinding tale by the masterful Dean Koontz. And be prepared to be transported through time and space by the unparalleled Robert A. Heinlein as he takes you on a mind-bending journey with “By His Bootstraps and The Door Into Summer.”
But the adventure does not end there. There’s 11/22/63, written by none other than the legendary Stephen King. And last but not least, the incredible brilliance of Michael Moorcock’s “Behold the Man,” amongst many other awe-inspiring works.
Hundreds of thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book? This book was crafted to immerse you into a riveting narrative filled with complex characters, rich world-building, and a clear distinction between the forces of good and evil. This is not just another run-of-the-mill post-apocalyptic tale of devastation and the struggle for survival. No, this book dares to paint a brighter vision of our future and ignite the hope that humans can one day unite and work towards a common purpose and a brighter future just as Gene Roddenberry explained in “Star Trek” and to me many years ago.
Through its pages, we witness events that precede the horrors of war and the devastating effects it can have on our dignity as human beings. It serves as a warning of our violent past and a glimpse into a future that could very well be our reality if we do not take action to change it.
This book stands apart from the masses, for it dares to imagine a more positive future. It speaks to a truth that we must embrace if we wish to manifest a brighter tomorrow. We must envision a better world and work tirelessly to bring it to life in our culture and within ourselves.
The stars above are our destiny; reaching for them is up to us. We must join this journey of hope, courage, and determination. The fate of our future lies in our hands.
Who is your target audience? The target audience for my book is broad and inclusive, spanning from young adults of 16 years and above to seniors. It’s most suited to people with interests in good stories, interesting characters, science, and the possibilities that future tech may provide. We also delve into romance and intrigue. But always focussing on the state of the human condition.
I crafted the story to resonate with everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. My ultimate goal is for the book to be embraced globally, with an initial focus on English-speaking regions. However, I am determined to explore opportunities to extend its reach beyond these boundaries, and I am excited to see where this journey will take us.
With a passion for storytelling and a drive to connect with readers worldwide, I am eager to share my work and hopefully inspire a diverse audience with my words.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing, and did you use it to your advantage? As far back as I can remember, I have been captivated by the power of storytelling. The magic of books and films transported me to other worlds, igniting my imagination like nothing else. But at the tender age of seven, I stumbled upon a genre that would change my life forever.
It started innocently enough, with Saturday morning cartoons. But something about the fantastical nature of space and aliens sparked a flame within me. I couldn’t get enough of shows like Looney Tunes, where even the most mundane objects could become extraordinary with the right story. I was mesmerized by Marvin the Martian, with his quirky demeanor and obsession with conquering Earth.
But Space Ghost and Jonny Quest truly stole my heart. These shows were like nothing I had ever seen before. With stunning animation and gripping storylines, they took me on adventures beyond my wildest dreams. I was hooked and completely enthralled by the power of storytelling to transport me to other worlds.
My family had a difficult relationship growing up, and I shunned social and family interactions. I was plopped in front of a TV to escape the turmoil for much of my formative years. My fascination with science fiction greatly increased when I discovered the Outer Limits, the Twilight Zone, and Star Trek (My favorite show.)
I’ve been a Trekkie since I was knee-high to a Tribble. And then, when I was fifteen, I hit the motherlode of nerdiness. Gene Roddenberry, the big cheese behind Star Trek, gave a lecture I attended. It was like getting a backstage pass to the final frontier. But the real kicker came when I was the last fan left in the autograph line. Roddenberry asked me for directions to his hotel and being a local Pittsburgher, I knew the way. And then, the “Great Bird of the Galaxy” asked me to walk him there because it was such a beautiful day. I couldn’t say no to the man who boldly went where no man had before.
So, we strolled and chatted about Star Trek and science fiction, and it was like a dream come true. That experience was like a photon torpedo aimed right at my writer’s brain. I knew then and there that I had to write science fiction. And if that wasn’t enough, a few months later, I even met Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy. Live long and prosper!
Tell us your most rewarding experience since publishing your work. The response from reviewers and readers alike has humbled me. Every single review and comment has been very generous in praising it. There’s a desire in me to thank each and every reviewer and reader and everyone who reads the book.
How would you describe your writing style? One of my goals as a writer has been to make every story flow easily and naturally. I don’t believe a good story must be a difficult read. I, as a reader, try to look for the actual story and get acquainted with the characters. Sometimes an author may get bogged down and distracted from the story by too much technical jargon.
And this may lead to holes in the story and unnecessary convolution. But don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love good technical elements and story structures when done correctly. I think that’s why we refer to the writers of the 50s thru the 80s as the Deans of Science Fiction. They know how to tell an engaging story while using tech to further the story and enthrall readers without getting lost in the explanation.
As far as my writing style is concerned, your guess is as good as mine. (laughs) No, really, I feel that my style is affected by the subject matter and how the story presents itself. Fundamentally, it seems like the story dictates to me how it will be written and developed. Again, clarity is always a goal.
Are your characters pure fiction, or did you draw from people you know? I’d have to say it’s around 75% fiction and 25% based on people I’ve encountered in my journies. I prefer building characters that are flexible and unique. However, I have some characters that are more based on people I have known. Coming up in the next installment of the Time Agents series, there will be more elements of real people integrated into some characters. But how much will depend of course on how the next book guides me.
Are you more of a character artist or a plot-driven writer? Well, let me interject some clarity and a dash of humor into this discussion! I’m told I have a pretty good innate sense of what makes a good story. Or so my colleagues say.
Now, to answer your question, I would have to say that a good story is like a great smoothie – it’s all about the blend! You need just the right amount of plot and just the right amount of characters to make it work. Having too much of one and not enough of the other can throw the whole thing off balance.
Think of it like a cake. The plot is like the cake itself – it’s the foundation for building everything else. But, just like a cake needs frosting to make it delicious, a good story needs interesting characters to make it truly engaging. You can’t have one without the other.
So, to sum it up, I feel that a good story is a roughly 50/50 blend of plot and characters. The plot must pull you in, and the characters must keep you involved and interested in what happens to them. If you get that balance right, you’ll have a story that’s as satisfying as a perfectly blended smoothie or a deliciously frosted cake!
What do you hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it? I have stories whirling around In my head most days. And occasionally, these stories demand to be expressed through a book. Hopefully, readers will be intrigued enough to read that book. Also, A great love story is winding its way through the Time Agents Book One plot. The adventures of our characters invite us to step into their shoes for a while. I guess that just knowing my stories entertain and enlighten the reader.
Sam Libraty was raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and was enamored with science fiction from age 7.
One of the crucial moments in his life path was, at age 15, meeting Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek. After spending the afternoon talking about science fiction, the seeds were planted. Sam knew that someday he would write science fiction.
Sam studied music at Kent State and Townson State Universities. After college, he dedicated his life to performing music, but with the birth of his sons Aron and Jonathan Libraty, he changed his career to work in film and television. After a long entertainment career, he began writing science fiction in his spare time. His book, ‘The Time Agents: Search for the Leon Key‘, was published in 2022
Sam is currently working on his next novel. Besides writing, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, listening to music, and reading and watching good science fiction. Sam now lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, Tamara, and two cats, Mochi and Noki.
How can our readers get in touch with you?
My website: www.samlibraty.com
The email is: contact@samlibraty.com
Where can our readers purchase your book? There’s a link to a page with links to everywhere the print, ebook, and audiobooks can be purchased. Comprehensive purchase portal. Every retailer is organized at one convenient link. https://books2read.com/u/mY8kax?redirect=off
Or:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3JgG1cf
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-time-agents-search-for-the-leon-key/id6444382151
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1248613?ref=draft2digital
https://www.walmart.com/search?q=Sam%20Libraty
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=fxmsEAAAQBAJ&PAffiliateID=1l3vnbh
Social Media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlibraty/
https://www.facebook.com/sam.libraty
https://www.instagram.com/samlibratyauthor
There is a handy link that lists everywhere the book is sold.
There’s also a great audiobook narrated by a wonderfully talented person on Audible as well. His name is Douglas Thornton. http://www.douglasthornton.info/home.html
