Gatecast Interview Keith R. A. DeCandido

·1 min

The episode begins with hosts Alan and Mike introducing a special interview with author Keith R. A. DeCandido. DeCandido is a prolific writer known for licensed work, novelizations, and original fiction in the genre community. He discusses his background, being born and raised in the Bronx, and his current project, an urban fantasy series set there to give the borough more representation. The conversation covers his early influences, including Tolkien and P.G. Wodehouse, and his extensive bibliography of about 50 books. DeCandido talks about his experiences with audiobooks, noting some of his works are available in audio format, including stories narrated by others like Lisa Renee Pitts. He delves into his work on licensed properties, starting with his role as editor and writer for the Star Trek Starfleet Corps of Engineers series, which began in 2000. DeCandido shares his affinity for working on Star Trek, Marvel, and Farscape, highlighting a comic book series he co-plotted with Farscape creator Rockne S. O'Bannon. The discussion shifts to Stargate, with DeCandido explaining his short story in the 'Far Horizons' anthology that explains Teal'c's soul patch through a time-dilation plot. He praises characters like Samantha Carter for her scientific realism and Radek Zelenka as the smartest person in Stargate Atlantis. DeCandido then focuses on his upcoming Stargate SG-1 novel 'Kali's Wrath', set in season five and featuring the System Lord Kali, played by Celica Matthew. He describes including flashbacks to Ra's reign on Earth and characters like Bray'tac and Jacob Carter on a joint mission. The interview covers the challenges of writing tie-in fiction, such as adjusting plots when conflicts arise with ongoing series, as happened with a Sleepy Hollow novel. DeCandido lists other projects, including an urban fantasy novel 'A Furnace Sealed', Marvel superhero books, and various short story anthologies. He mentions convention appearances and his social media presence. The hosts conclude with a spoiler-free review of 'Kali's Wrath', praising its character development and backstory, and provide links to DeCandido's work and the next episode on Stargate Universe.

As heard by us

Keith R. A. DeCandido links Stargate craft, military detail, and one stubbornly durable soul patch.

Gatecast finds a solid lane with Keith R. A. DeCandido, using an author chat to connect franchise memory with writing craft. Alan and Mike start in the show's familiar comic rhythm, then move into DeCandido's mix of original fiction, Bronx-set urban fantasy, licensed work, and…

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Why you'd press play

Press play for Stargate craft talk, Carter and Teal'c, and one unexpectedly serious explanation for O'Neil's soul patch.

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